In the ever changing world of the travel industry, where branding and ownership seem to change on an hourly basis rather than daily, and we are charged with ever shorter deadlines, you may take heart with a tale of a company that cares little for deadlines or schedules.
While planning to take part in two Berlin trade events in November, I called theInternational Travel Industry Club to get a hotel quote.
The reservations woman patiently talked me through all the various hotel options – quoting October prices
When I asked for a November rate, I was advised they didn’t have November rates available right now.
Pressing the matter, I asked to book one of the hotels quoted, as it seemed central.
The reservations woman kindly advised me to call back in four or five weeks’ time, when they would have access to the November rates.
I pointed out that in four or five weeks, it would virtually be November, and too late for my peace of mind to make a hotel reservation.
I was then advised to call back in two to three weeks, and they ‘would see what they could do’.
While Iappreciate the opportunity to book hotels at lower than rack rates by virtue of working in the travel industry, Isimply don’t understand the point ofpaying for advertising space to then encourage itsreservations team to try its very hardest not to take a reservation.
ITIC – I’m very sorry Itroubled you. You will bereassured to know that I, my friends and many colleagues, will not be bothering you again in the future.
Hey, why not just leave the phone off the hook?
Ian Morgan
Travel trade sales manager
YHA (England &Wales) Ltd
St Albans
Hertfordshire