TRITON bosses have branded the big four travel companies outdated and inflexible despite criticism of the super-consortium’s own ability to compete in today’s market.
The super consortium claimed its dynamic packaging Triton Search system – unveiled in May and due to officially launch in January – would help Triton agents to muscle in on the traditional package market by tailor-making product, often offering better quality at the same prices.
Already almost 800 agents have registered to use Triton Search and training is ongoing. The system has taken 20 million so far despite some technical glitches.
But critics say the official launch date will still not allow enough time for all Triton agents to be fully trained and proficient on the system, hampering efforts to compete with major operators for summer 2007 sales.
On Holiday Group chief executive Steve Endacott said the system could have taken 20% of First Choice’s and Thomson’s most profitable peak sales if fully up and running. But he added: “Agents will just revert to type and book the major operators because they haven’t had the training or time to get used to the system.”
Midconsort chief executive Charles Eftichiou said its dynamic packaging system would be profiled at Midconsort’s December conference. “The system needs to be in place before January,” he said.
But Triton bosses claimed the Triton Search roll-out would steal a march over the big four. Triton chairman Colin Heal, directors Andrew Botterill and John McEwan and consultant George Begg argued the decision to slash agent commission and drive sales in-house had increased operators’ costs on marketing and technology.
Begg said: “We are where the vertically integrated operators would like to be; we’re flexible and low cost and they’re trying to chase those markets.”
Botterill added: “Our agents don’t get involved in selling holidays at £49 and £59 as they’re being creative instead – they’re selling better accommodation with cheap flights and it’s making them money.” He claimed the major operators would be forced to cut capacity.
Thomson Holidays commercial director Derek Jones hit back at Triton’s claims, saying Thomson has its own low fares airline, a vast range of accommodation-only product, the biggest chain of high-street agencies, the most visited operator website in the UK and an evolving business model.
He added: “Wounded animals often attack. What Triton lacks is consistent brand messaging driving footfall into its shops and online.”