BALES Worldwide has partnered with another operator
for the first time to expand its European programme for clients seeking
alternative destinations following September 11.
Managing director Mandy Nickerson said Bales was also
in talks with another unnamed operator to offer holidays to the Caribbean.
The unprecedented move by Bales was introduced as a
direct result of the terrorist attacks in a bid to retain its customers.
Bales has a small European city programme but one of
its biggest markets historically has been Egypt, where sales have fallen
dramatically. Bookings to the Middle East and central Asia have also suffered.
The deals involve Bales in effect working as a travel
agent and earning commission on bookings for other operators’ holidays,
offering locations such as Venice, Rome and Vienna for the first time.
Nickerson said: “We did not want to lose any business
and we had to look at how we could keep customers. People were ringing up
concerned about certain destinations and they still wanted to go on holiday, so
we were able to offer them European holidays.”
She added: “We are being the travel agent and we earn
commission. We are trying to be as pro-active as we can. We are not looking to
market other people’s holidays, but we never say never.”
Since September 11, Bales has reported a rise in late
bookings and increased interest in other destinations such as South America,
China, southern Africa and Australasia.
“A few years ago people would only book these trips
six months in advance, now we are getting bookings for three weeks’ time,”
added Nickerson.
Less than 5% of customers
booked to travel with the operator cancelled or postponed their holidays
following the attacks.