ARTAC Worldchoice chairman Colin Heal has admitted that some operators have refused to renegotiate new deals following the consortium’s alliance with Thomas Cook.
Although the majority have signed new contracts and agreed to pay extra commission, a number have not accepted the terms, said Heal.
He said the “relatively few” who have refused to co-operate will be dropped from its preferred operator list.
It is believed operators were being asked to increase commission by two percentage points and to pledge more marketing support.
“This does not mean they will be deracked,” stressed Heal. “There is a commitment from members to rack all our preferred operators but after that, as independent agents, they can sell whom they wish. Of course there will be no marketing support for these operators but we are not banning their sale.”
Some terms are still being discussed with operators, he added.
Under the alliance with Thomas Cook, ARTAC held talks with small and medium-sized operators while Thomas Cook struck new terms with the major players. A handful of operators renegotiating with ARTAC refused to co-operate.
Heal said existing contracts will be honoured except those which were negotiated while Thomas Cook was waiting for European approval for its merger with Carlson. These will be terminated immediately.
n ARTAC will make a decision this week on whether to join forces with the Truly Independent Professional Travel Organisation. Heal said he was waiting for a list of the members before making a decision.