TOUR operators have rounded on the national press for
the “significantly misreported” stories about school holiday pricing which hit
the headlines last week.
ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators slammed the
story as inaccurate and dated, referring to a meeting three months ago with
consumer affairs minister Gerry Sutcliffe.
FTO director-general Andy Cooper said: “It is worrying
that this story has come out with a front-page headline, which seems
significantly misreported some three months after the discussion took place.”
The story originated from a media briefing held earlier
this month where Sutcliffe referred to a meeting with the FTO, ABTA, the
Association of Independent Tour Operators and major operators to get an
overview of industry issues.
The Department of Trade and Industry has denied
reports Sutcliffe had ordered an investigation into peak pricing or asked
operators to provide an analysis of pricing.
ABTA said the story – headlined ‘stop the
school holiday rip-offs’ in last week’s Daily Mail – was unfair as increased
prices at peak times were widely accepted by the industry.
“Clearly any negative reporting about pricing issues
is very damaging for the trade,” a spokesman said.
A DTI spokeswoman said: “We accept it is a competitive
market, but we also feel it is an important issue and there is more to be done.”
She added the initial meeting had been “positive” and a follow-up meeting will
be held after Parliament’s summer recess.
In a letter to Sutcliffe from the FTO on behalf of the
industry following the March 25 meeting, the trade maintained the argument of
supply and demand. It also said consumers were generally undercharged in the
off-peak season and peak prices represented normal levels.
Thomas Cook said the coverage unfairly represented the
industry and added many sectors, such as cinemas and gyms, adapted pricing to
peak periods.
Thomas Cook’s JMC brand will also offer free kids’
places at four times as many properties next summer, in recognition of the
strong demand for deals.
A TUI spokeswoman said: “I don’t think it will be
massively damaging – the public are more realistic than the headlines.”
Cosmos commercial director Stuart Jackson said: “It’s
so frustrating when operators get criticised like this. I just despair. Costs
are higher when there is more demand than there is stock.”