Thomson Holidays has started to unpackage the package holiday.
We are led to believe that late-deal customers want the flexibility of choosing whether or not to have a transfer included.
Really?I would have thought that anyone going to an unknown foreigndestination would rather like the comfort of knowing they will be taken all the way to their accommodation when they arrive. After all, it could be a 3hr journey from the airport.
We then see that late deal customers like to travel lighter than those who are opting for the brochured holidays.
If they can manage to carry more than 15kgs of luggage they will be penalised for the pleasure.
Oh yes, and they will only see the representative once a week – presumably at awelcome party so they will be able to buy their excursions.
At a time whenall-inclusive holidays are the fastest growing trends, I find it quite bizarre that Thomson is opting for the non-inclusive holiday.
It brings to mind a joke from the US comedian Steven Wright which goes:”I went to buy some batteries last week. I had to buy some more because batteries weren’t included.”
How long before we might be applying the same joke to our industry?
I applaud Thomson in its attempts to move away from late deals, but why not have the courage to stop themaltogether?
Treating late-dealcustomers as second-classcitizens is a whollyunsatisfactory compromise.
Jes Payne
General manager
Fred Olsen
Ipswich
Suffolk