THERE is an unwritten rule of businessetiquette which says you should always let your corporate guests win a bet.
But it would seem P&O Cruises knows nothing about business etiquette.
The company hosted 15 key travel agents at the New Zealand versus France Rugby World Cup semi-final – a game which the seemingly invincible All Blacks were expected to run away with.
As is usual at such events, a sweepstake took place with everyone throwing in a tenner and predicting the score.
P&O managing director Gwyn Hughes said:”We thought it would be the done thing to let a guest win, so we all predicted a win for France while all 15 agents went for New Zealand.
“It was a sure-fire bet. France had no chance.” Final score – France 43 New Zealand 31.
“We couldn’t believe it,” said Hughes, who walked off with the second cash prize while a P&O colleague pocketed the top whack.
Backchat hears that a number of agents have started switch-selling away from P&O.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Tourist Board was also thrown by the surprise French triumph.
It had to quickly drum up some guests from across the Channel for the final.