Advantage members have failed to capitalise on increased sales in the domestic market, Hoseasons chief executive Richard Carrick has said.
Speaking at the Advantage conference in Heathrow on Saturday, Carrick said total sales for the domestic operator have increased by more than 30% this year.
He said sales by travel agents as a whole have increased by 25%, adding: “Some (agents) are up by 53%, they’ve piled into the UK (market) in a big way.”
However, he argued the raised sales have not been mirrored by Advantage agents who increased bookings by a lower rate of 20% for 2009.
The trend is even more extreme for 2010 with Carrick saying overall sales are up by 70% while bookings through the trade have grown by 63%. However, 2010 sales through Advantage agents have only increased by 24%.
Carrick said: “Looking at next year, Advantage (agents) are under performing in the market. There is an opportunity there for some travel agent members.”