TIPTO – WHAT IS IT?
Membership: 20 independent tour operators are being sought to found a centralised marketing consortium that will promote their products to 1,000 independent agents.
Cost: Each tour operator will contribute £25,000 a year, which can be paid in monthly instalments. A £1,000 deposit must be sent in with a membership application.
Conditions for membership: Members must not be aligned to any major tour operator or travel agency chain. None of the members can be a direct competitor in the same market.
Services and activities: a central office will provide brochures, point of sale material and other services to agents; monthly visits will be made to all 1,000 agents; two training seminars will be held a month; 10 roadshows will be organised a year; TIPTO will be promoted by a PR firm; an Internet site will promote members’ products.
Agent partners: 1,000 independent agents will be selected from the data bases of the 20 tour operator members. They will not pay for TIPTO services.
Commission for agents: TIPTO will not interfere with its members’ existing commission arrangements.
Contact: 01484 345000.