ADVANTAGE Travel Centres is close to securing a major coup for its members by persuading operators to withdraw their direct telephone numbers from brochures.
The major players are said to be warming to the idea after receiving guarantees they will not lose business.
Operators justify the inclusion of direct numbers by claiming an increasing number of customers want to book outside normal shop opening hours. They argue they will lose bookings if the number is not printed.
But Advantage has drawn up a proposal to remove operators’ direct numbers and replace them with the consortium’s own contact details.
Calls would then be channelled through to one of the 50-60 Advantage members who have their own out-of-hours direct operation.
Advantage commercial director Neil Armorgie said:”Operators want to ensure they don’t lose business after agencies have closed and by putting our own direct number on brochures they have that guarantee.
“Although the booking will not necessarily go to the agent where the brochure was picked up, it will be kept in the consortium.”
Armorgie said he was receiving positive feedback with further talks earmarked.
“They are warming to the idea and we are hopeful we can come to an arrangement,” he added. “We are speaking to Airtours next week where the issue is on the agenda.”
But Airtours, alliance partners of Advantage, played down talk of any immediate agreement.
Sales, marketing and development director Ed Sims said the move would cost “many thousands of pounds”.
“I don’t doubt the capabilities of Advantage members in converting a telephone call into a booking but there would be considerable cost in such a move,” he said. “But we will discuss it with Advantage.”