TRAVEL agents have accused Airtours of tarring them all with
the same brush by claiming the trade is lagging 30 years behind the rest of the
retail market.
The criticism follows comments by Airtours chief executive
Richard Carrick that travel retailing has been all but neglected through the
lack of investment and is stuck in the Dark Ages in terms of service and pay.
Holiday Hypermarkets managing director John Donnelly said: “Airtours
may well be in the dark Ages but Carrick should not tar other retailers with
the same brush.
“It’s not fair to say everyone is working in that
environment, we look after our staff, Airtours is behind the times.”
St Andrews Travel managing director Andrew Dickson said: “It
is difficult to be a successful travel agent. You have to be innovative, train
your staff and offer good customer service, choice and value for money, but not
necessarily the cheapest holiday. I don’t think people get that service in
Going Places.”