Rival bed banks have agreed hotels4u.com must retain its independence if it is to continue to thrive in the market.
With agents now weighing up their options following Thomas Cook Group’s £21.8 million acquisition of a 75% stake in the bed bank, youtravel.com sales director Paul Riches said being viewed as independent offers its own benefits.
“Two of the major players in the accommodation-only sector are now owned by large conglomerates and only two remain independent. Retailers will look at that and
review the share of business they give to hotels4u.com and medhotels.com.”
On Holiday Group chief executive Steve Endacott said the challenge for Hotels4u.com was to be seen to be independent.
“From a hotelier’s point of view the last thing they want is the narrowing of the distribution or the knowledge of the rates they’re offering on distressed stock to go back to the tour operators.”