MIDCONSORT Travel Group has slammed the big four for
jeopardising its members’ commission by lowering their direct-sell online
holiday prices by 10%.
Midconsort chief executive Charles Eftichiou accused
First Choice, TUI UK, MyTravel and Thomas Cook of “breaking a gentleman’s
agreement” over web prices.
He claimed that when the big four set sales targets
for his consortium, they promised direct-sell web prices would not undercut
agent prices by more than 5%.
Eftichiou said direct web prices were now 10% cheaper
– effectively the cost of the agent’s commission.
He said the practice was hitting bookings, making it virtually
impossible for his members to meet their agreed sales targets.
“It is happening every day,” said Eftichiou.
“Customers are coming into our shops with quotes from websites that are much
cheaper. They should stick to their agreements.”
He claimed the big four had refused to change their
web policies despite face-to-face showdown talks.
MyTravel admitted it had increased web discounts to 10%
for a weekend offer earlier this month.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said: “We’re taking this
complaint seriously and are looking into it.”
First Choice head of sales, south, Max Mason admitted
to online “tactical offers”.
TUI UK refused to comment.