TENERIFE specialist Club Travel 2000 is pioneering a new initiative for the independent sector that allows customers to change their holiday plans for free.
The Change Your Mind service is being introduced in the operator’s Summer Sunspots 2000 programme which is launched next week.
All properties in the brochure will be branded with a red or green symbol. Customers will be able to change the date of the holiday, the resort and hotel to a same coloured property without charge, up to eight weeks before departure .
They are also free to switch their choice of departure airport.
Holidaymakers only have to pay if they amend a booking more than once, if passenger details change or if alterations are made eight weeks before departure.
Sales and marketing director Ian Scott said the initiative will enable the independent sector to compete with the multiples.
“We believe the vertically integrated companies offer this and we wanted to give independent agents the same weapon,” he said.
Under current arrangements with Club Travel, passengers lose their £50 deposit if changes are made.
Scott said it will give customers peace of mind and encourage early bookings.
“Holidaymakers are often asked to make one of their biggest annual purchases many months in advance of travelling,” he said. “If they now have a change of heart or circumstance, they can amend their booking without being penalised.
It gives them that bit of insurance and may encourage them to book earlier in the knowledge they can change their plans.”
Scott added that agents are free to make their own charges but predicted few would bother.