THEBIRTHof the Truly Independent Professional Travel Organisation is prompting the Association of Independent Tour Operators to reassess its relationship with travel agent partners.
TIPTO has announced plans to spend £500,000 a year on marketing its members’ products to 1,000 selected independent agents (Travel WeeklyMay 31).
AITO deputy chairman John Bennett said: “The AITO Council is examining its relationship with the Campaign For Real Travel Agents. It’s something we want to revisit in the light of what is happening with TIPTO.”
He said the issue would be on the AITO Council’s agenda in the near future, but would give no further details.
CARTA, which is backed byAITO, is a loose coalition of around 300 agents and 75 operators with an annual budget of up to £30,000. Participating agents receive benefits like guaranteed brochures supplies, enhanced commission and training workshops.
AITO and TIPTO’s attempts to form an alliance failed because TIPTO founder Gary David refused to offer AITO members automatic membership of his group.
Meanwhile, CARTA vice-chairman Gordon ChapmanHatchett, of Golden Arrow Travel in Tunbridge Wells, said the group was launching a campaign to encourage the public to book with independent agents and operators. Details will be unveiled at CARTA’s conference in Gibraltar between June 18 and 20.
Chapman-Hatchett said the move differed from TIPTO’s marketing plans, which are aimed at the trade rather than the public.
“There is no clash of interest whatsoever,” he said.
n St Andrews Travel managing director Andrew Dickson is to address the CARTA conference in Gibraltar. His peech will be entitled How to Succeed in a highly competitive market.
Customer service guru Chris Daffy will give advice to independent agents on how to create customer loyalty.