Report by Steve Jones
RETAILERS face being kicked out of the Campaign for Real
Travel Agents under plans to revitalise the flagging scheme.
The move follows growing discontent between CARTA and the
Association of Independent Tour Operators. CARTA chairman Edwin Doran told the AITO
conference in Puebla, Mexico, he wanted to heal relations between the two
organisations – even if it meant expelling some of the 280 CARTA agents.
“Between 25% and 40% of members’ business is with AITO
operators. We are not happy with that and are taking steps to increase sales,”
he said. “We want to move the relationship forward even if it means cutting
members.”
Later, Doran said he wanted to AITO products to account for
a minimum of 40% of agents’ business. But he also called on more AITO operators
to join the scheme and claimed existing members are not doing enough to support
agents.