Accommodation-only supplier Seligo has gone back to acting as a principal in its transactions following similar moves from its rivals.
Last year Seligo ditched its principal status as it prices were uncompetitive because unlike its accommodation-only rivals it was forced to pay more VAT through the Tour Operators Margin Scheme.
However, Seligo has followed the moves of Hotels4u.com and Youtravel.com which have assumed the principal responsibility to allay agents’ fears they could be legally responsible in similar tragedies as the deaths of two children in Corfu.
The principal in a transaction has full health and safety responsibility, whereas when acting as an agent the contract is between the agent and the hotelier.
Chief executive David Cockerton said the firm had kept all its duty office, health and safety and third party liability insurance in place.
“We always wanted to act as a principal,” he said. “We are glad that it’s now a level playing field.”
Meanwhile, Seligo has appointment Steven and Tony Freudmann as chairman and director respectively to raise its profile and advice on potential acquisitions.
ABTA board director Steven has convinced Cockerton to become an ABTA member.
“ABTA is a great brand which we want to be associated with,” he said. “Steven is well known in the industry and we want him to help us raise our profile.”
Tony has been appointed to advice on potential acquisitions.
Cockerton said he was interested in buying companies that compliment its current offering either in different geographical location or different area of the travel industry.