AMERICAN
Express is cutting the number of tour operators it racks following a review of
its business.
Following
a similar move by British Airways Travel Shops, Amex is believed to be slashing
around 70 tour operators, leaving a nucleus of 20 big sellers.
A
spokeswoman said: “We have decided to review the number of preferred travel
partners in an effort to maximise revenues from dealing with any preferred
supplier.
“This
benefits both parties as we concentrate volumes to a smaller number of partners.”
BA
Travel Shops cut its preferred suppliers from 71 to 11.
Amex
is currently in discussions with operators asking them to submit proposals to
gain or retain preferred supplier status for 2003.
One
supplier in the talks said: “It makes sense because the current situation
doesn’t help anybody.”