There have been demands this week for a shake-up in brochure distribution as tonnes of surplus brochures were dumped on independents, costing the environment – and the agents who have to dispose of them – dear.
Beacon Travel Service manager Sheila Williams said: “We had six packs delivered this week, an awful lot of which will run out shortly. It happens every year but this time they dumped more on us than ever.”
Agents contacting Travel Weekly accused distributors of offloading unwanted brochures when they clear warehouses, but the ultimate responsibility lay with operators. Many are guilty, but Kuoni came in for particular criticism.
Manchester-based Pole Travel manager Jill Waite said: “Kuoni should enter the ‘ungreen’ awards for wasting the most trees.“
Kent travel agent and operator Travelux suggested agents should be allowed to order brochures as they need them.
“We deliver small supplies,order sensibly and end up with minimal wastage at the end of the season. There are a few companies who are the leading culprits and Kuoni has to be the worst,” said Travelux administrator and marketer Sarah Vince.
Kuoni sales director Manuel Mascarenhas said: “We use sophisticated systems to manage brochuredistribution,based on sales analysis. We rely on agents ordering their own brochures after the initial supplies have been distributed.Feedback has been that agents have had little time to place orders. It is for this reason we have sent out these supplies, which have been generallywell received.“