Taking the ‘mick’ can effect your prestige

Taking the ‘mick’ can effect your prestige

WHEN Prestige Holidays distributed an apology to agents for recent service glitches, arch-rival Cadogan Holidays seized on the opportunity to have a joke at its competitor’s expense.

Prestige Holidays, which experienced an unexpected 120% rise in bookings in December and January, wrote to agents to explain the problems it was facing.

‘I write to apologise for the shortcomings in our reservations and administration services over the past two months. We have not been able to provide the standards of service you expect and we strive to achieve,’ explained Prestige.

The humble excuses carried on to the bottom of the page, where the company, somewhat tactlessly, included the triumphant tagline ‘Prestige Holidays…living up to the name’.

Er, not quite. Cadogan decided to write its own letter to agents, which was headed in large letters ‘A prestige service from Cadogan Holidays’.

“Having trouble getting through to some tour operators? Well, I make no apologies for letting you know that Cadogan Holidays is ready and able to offer the instant service that you expect and we strive to achieve…” the letter continued.

Cadogan’s parody of Prestige’s original letter was signed Michael Take, in a gentle hint that it was not meant to be taken too seriously.

However, the operator’s jape backfired when a number of agents took umbrage on Prestige’s behalf.

Several complained Cadogan was being unfair trying to exploit its competitor’s recent administrative woes.

A Cadogan spokesman said: “We actually get on really well with the team at Prestige Holidays, and this was just meant as a bit of a joke.

Unfortunately, some agents took it quite seriously.”

Perhaps Cadogan shouldcirculate its own apology to travel agents now?