War is on between Thomson and travel trade

A TRAVEL agent has hit back at Thomson Holidays for cutting commission by charging customers a £20 fee to book its holidays.

And at the same time, Thomson has declared war on Co-op travel agencies it believes are no longer selling its product with a hard-hitting advertising blitz.

Worldchoice member Spa Travel, near Wetherby, stopped racking Thomson brochures after the operator cut commission to 7%. Now agency partner Paul Dayson has decided to charge holidaymakers to book with Thomson. “We have a service fee of £20 a head. Clients are told that beforehand. If someone won’t pay, I’ll let them walk away,” he said.

Thomson retail and commercial director Derek Jones said it was the first time he had heard of an agent charging to book a Thomson break. “It’s up to the agent as long as it’s clear it’s a fee and not wrapped up in the package price,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thomson has unleashed an aggressive advertising campaign in national and regional press urging holidaymakers to book direct.

One advert asks whether agents offer the widest choice of holidays and suggests Co-op Travel, Travelcare and the Midlands Co-op have stopped selling Thomson holidays.

Another tells consumers “You’re probably paying too much” if agents don’t recommend Thomson.

Head of third-party sales Jean Lally said: “We know the Co-ops aren’t selling Thomson. This is one way of making sure the business comes our way.”

Co-operative Travel Trading Group chief operating officer Mike Greenacre declined to comment.