I AM an independent travel agent having traded over many years and I have become verydisillusioned over the tactics of all the major tour operators to try to divert business to their own direct- sell operations. I thought the UK tour operators were above that and supported the trade wholeheartedly.
How disappointing to see Shearings Holidays new 2000 British brochure, a blatant move to get more direct-sell business.
On page three – very clear instructions on how to book a holiday direct!
On page 10 same again – with direct telephone numbers, not one mention you can use a travel agent. Plus an annual insurance offer for any UK or European holiday – not just Shearings – againensuring we lose even any future insurance business from our clients when booking JMCor any other tour operator.
The agents’ stamp space has been withdrawn from the back page and there’s no booking form, againlosing us another space for our stamp. The onlyreference to booking through a travel agent is in the small print on the foot of the page, obviously anafter-thought.
I for one will not be supporting Shearings Holidays for year 2000!
Andrew Fox, Partner, Easi Travel Worldchoice, Easingwold, North Yorkshire