Operators which have failed to protect the commission of Freedom Travel Group members and former homeworkers have been slammed as “short sighted”.
A group of disgruntled Freedom members – led by Adore Cruises owner Ian Gilder – planned to “name and shame” operators which had not transferred bookings back to agents this week on industry Facebook page Travel Gossip.
However, Gilder decided to backtrack on the move, calling the plan “wrong”, but has issued a warning to “between 10 and 15” operators.
“We are being penalised by some operators and I am imploring them to change their mind,” he said. “It is rather short sighted because people will not book with tour operators who have not handed back their bookings.
“The feeling is that many members will not book with suppliers that did not help them. We are not going to name and shame them [anymore], but they have lost the distribution of 300 [Freedom] members.”
More: ‘Cruise lines must protect Freedom agents’ commission’
Cruise giants Carnival UK and Royal Caribbean Cruises both pledged last week to transfer bookings back Freedom members, providing certain criteria was met by the agents involved.
Gilder, who joined Hays Travel Independence Group after Thomas Cook-owned consortium Freedom Travel Group went into liquidation praised operators which had transferred bookings back to agents.
“I would like to thank all the operators who have helped us,” he added. “It has brought people to tears. I don’t think that operators realise how much this means – it is life-changing.
“We are not here to cause aggravation; we are better than that and we’ve held our heads high with dignity throughout this. Some of the operators have been sensational.”