GLOBAL Travel Group has admitted it has failed to win the backing of the independentsector after it was snubbedby members of the biggestconsortiums.
Founder George Begg said it has managed to attract only a handful of agents from Advantage and ARTAC since launching a recruitment drive at the start of the year.
He initially believed there would be a mass exodus to Global after Advantage tied up with Airtours and because of ARTAC’s continuing alliance with Carlson, now Thomas Cook.
“We did not get the growth we were looking for even though we were offering a genuine independent option ,” said Begg. “It was very deflating and means the independent sector is still too splintered. We are all too weak to have any clout.”
He added that Global had been successful in attracting non-aligned agents. Its membership now stands at 340.
Meanwhile, Global has secured a three-month deal with Airtours which will see increased commission for agents who hit sales targets. Begg stressed the operator was not trying to dictate the group’s sales policy.
“It is on a trial basis at this stage,” added Begg. “If we can prove to Airtours we can hit the targets, the deal will be extended.”