A travel agent has complained that tour operators and distribution companies are not thinking green after he received 50 brochures when he ordered just eight.
Chorleywood-based Ultimate Destinations managing director Alan Haynes said he ordered Citalia brochures through AU Logistics but a large bundle was delivered last week with various operators’ brochures in it, including Kosmar and Thomas Cook.
“I was told you can only send them back if you return the entire delivery. We wanted eight Citalia brochures. In the end I took the unwanted ones to the recycling centre – which is using my fuel, there’s the wear and tear on my car and it’s a waste of my time and energy.”
Haynes said the problem gets worse towards the end of the year when brochure selling periods are about to expire.
“We have all this talk about taxes on aircraft and these companies are wasting resources and don’t seem to know what’s going on.”
AU Logistics managing director Gary Winterburn said his company will deliver only what the agent orders, but sometimes tour operators will order a bulk distribution.
“We have an online facility where agents can order copies, allowing them to manage their stock.
“This has to do with bulk distribution and the agent needs to speak to the relevant tour operator. We can’t control that.”
Thomas Cook said it instructs AU Logistics to provide brochures according to each agent’s sales figures.
If agents feel that they are receiving too many brochures they can contact the operator direct.
Kosmar managing director Abhi Dighe said throughout January and February the company will send out brochures unsolicited to agents but from then on only when requested.
He said: “Nobody has complained to us about receiving too many. We get agents complaining we don’t give them enough brochures.”