Elite Travel Group members and suppliers have welcomed the new deal which will see the consortium share commercial arrangements with Advantage.
Elite agents agreed the link with the much larger consortium will provide safety as the economy worsens.
Carrick Travel chairwoman Sally Carrick said: “The deal gives us strength in numbers and the buying power which we need to deal with suppliers.”
However, Richmond Travel owner Roger Blizard questioned why the members were not able to vote on the decision at the annual general meeting scheduled for next month, adding: “It was the most inappropriate time for it to be announced.”
However, many Advantage agents seem unconcerned about the news.
Elite suppliers have denied the joint commercial negotiations will give them less choice over which consortia to work with.
Gold Medal head of travel industry sales Lee Marshall said: “We want to work with those [consortia] that want to work with us. If it means there are fewer of them but they are more effective, it’s not an issue.”
In figures: UK travel consortia by size
This week’s events have yet again changed the face of the independent market. The deal means the new relationship between Advantage and Elite creates the second largest consortium, knocking Global into third place.
However, Advantage is bullish at being in second place, claiming the group turnover of £2.6 billion is higher than any other consortium.
- TTA/TTA Worldchoice: 879
- Advantage Travel Centres and Elite: 806
- Global Travel Group: 766
- Hays Independence Group: 131
- The Freedom Travel Agents’ Consortium: 89