New consortium to implement preferred deals from 2006

NEW consortium superpower Triton is to operate tiered relationships with suppliers from 2006.

The commercial umbrella body of Worldchoice, Advantage and Global Travel Group held a board meeting this week to decide how to structure its commercial relationships with suppliers.

Triton director and Advantage managing director John McEwan said the body has opted for tiered relationships to keep a wide breadth of content for its 1,800 member agents. He said: “We can’t work equally with everybody. We’ll work closely with some operators while still having a relationship with others.”

Observers claim Triton will work more closely with two of the big four – sources suggest Thomas Cook and MyTravel will be the preferred suppliers.

Negotiations with suppliers will take place over the next four to six weeks to implement new deals for the new year.

Meanwhile, McEwan said the group will switch to a single-selling system created from the best parts of the consortia’s existing systems in the new year. Members will be able to see preferred suppliers and exclusive deals.

Suppliers and Advantage members have responded positively, according to McEwan. However, some members of consortium Midconsort – which is expected to join Triton in future – may be against the move. Chairman Neil Basnett admitted: “Some of our older members like their independence and won’t want pressure to sell certain suppliers.”

But he hinted members may be encouraged to realise the need for directional selling to stay competitive. “The industry is now vastly different to when Midconsort was set up 30 years ago.”

Midconsort is likely to discuss Triton at a board meeting at the end of this month.