Cadogan makes about turn on CARTA decision

Company agrees to increased level of fees, as long as association meets its demands for favoured treatment

Cadogan makes about turn on CARTA decision

Report by LYDIA WILSON

Under pressure: Doran, left, wants to ensure that all members’ interests are represented while David, right, is demanding preferential marketing perks for Cadogan’s product

CADOGANHolidays has done a U-turn on its public decision to leave the Campaign for Real Travel Agents by declaring its intention to stay, provided it gets preferential marketing perks.

Cadogan managing director Gary David previously said his firm would be subsidising smaller tour operators and direct-sell companies, if it remained in CARTAfollowing the tripling of its yearly membership subscription last month (Travel Weekly April 9).

He now plans to pay CARTA more than £5,000 a year on condition that Cadogan gets separate promotion to justify the expenditure.

“At the moment, there’s a two-tier system in which the bigger operators subsidise everyone else,” he said.

“We don’t mind keeping such a system as long as the people who pay more get more for their money.”

David’s proposal was put to the CARTApanel late last week, but deputy chairman Martin Garland said further talks would take place before any agreement was reached.

“His proposals were fully and frankly discussed,” he said. “However, we’re concerned they might create a position which would work against the ethos of the association.”

CARTA chairman Edwin Doran added a veiled snub: “I’ve spoken to many member travel agents over the past week and I’ve been very impressed by their continued loyalty towards the CARTA concept.

“We have to remember that CARTA has 50 other tour operator members besides Cadogan, and the best interests of all must be represented.”

Doran believed Cadogan’s decision to backtrack on leaving the organisationwas prompted by a wave of letters from travel agents, which claimed that sharp rises in sales for Cadogan were solely due to the tour operator’s membership of CARTA, and would more than cover the increase inmembership fees.

David denied that letters from agents had led him to reconsider, and insisted if the proposals were not accepted, Cadogan would leave CARTA as originally planned.