US specialists have rounded on Disney for its lack of
support for independent UK operators.
Premier Holidays has dropped Disney hotels from its
2003 programme, and will no longer sell attraction tickets for Disney theme parks.
North America Travel Service has been actively selling
away from Disney since its contract with the theme park operator expired in
April. Since then, business for Disney has halved.
USAirtours has started working with Disney again on
attraction tickets – after its contract was dropped – but is not featuring
Disney hotels.
The problems stem from Disney’s decision 18 months ago
to reduce the number of UK independent specialists it deals with, concentrating
mainly on the Big Four.
Premier Holidays product director Rob Haynes said: “We
will continue to sell Orlando, but our days of offering Disney tickets would
seem to be over.”
Kevin Brett, director of sales UK and Ireland at Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts, said he was surprised at Premier’s decision.