Triton is seeking further talks with Holiday Brokers after the accommodation-only provider unveiled a two-tier system of protection for its product.
The super-consortia’s three members, Worldchoice, Advantage and Global Travel Group, pledged to cease trading with any accommodation-only suppliers that failed to adopt principal status by the end of last month.
Despite having said in the past it would not adopt principal status, Holiday Brokers will now act as a principal for agents who want the protection. It will offer its existing indemnity cover, which it claims is adequate, for those who do not.
Chief executive Steve Endacott said: “The primary driver of this move is to give Triton everything they are asking for so we can continue the very positive relationship we have always enjoyed with its members.”
He admitted accommodation sold under principal status would be more expensive, however, he could not say by how much since the market will determine the price.
Despite the decision to offer principal status, which is expected to be introduced within the next couple of months, Triton director Andrew Botterill said the group is still insisting on full principal status for suppliers.
He said: “Holiday Brokers doesn’t seem to be changing its stance at all. We need to get some clarity about what it means.”
Lowcostbeds.com and Hotels4U.com are the only two remaining accommodation suppliers to Triton yet to adopt principal status. Both said Holiday Brokers’ U-turn would not influence their own strategies.
Medhotels.com announced it would adopt principal status for all bookings last month. It welcomed the latest move but said Holiday Brokers should adopt full principal status.