THOMAS Cook has started negotiations on behalf of 700 ARTACWorldchoice agents with a limited number of companies.
The retailer is using its combined muscle of 800 Thomas Cook and Carlson outlets, plus the ARTAC shops, to secure better deals from suppliers.
The move follows Going Places negotiating with operators on behalf of Travelworld and Advantage (Travel Weekly March 1).
ARTAC Worldchoice chairman Colin Heal said:”There are some suppliers where Thomas Cook will lead joint negotiations.
“Outside of that, Worldchoice is free to do its own deals with suppliers, although Thomas Cook will support us if necessary.”
Heal said he expected his members to increase their earnings through the tie-up with Thomas Cook.
“With Carlson our agencies were earning on average ú35,000 per ú1m of turnover; before the deal it was ú11,400 per ú1m of turnover.”
But Heal claimed ARTAC agents would not be forced to sell any products.
“We can give them the business deal and encourage them to support our alliance partners, but at the end of the day, the decision is completely theirs,” said Heal.
Thomas Cook retail managing director Andrew Windsor said it would continue to work with all ARTAC agents rather than creaming off the most productive outlets.
He also said ARTAC would keep the Worldchoice name and the consortium could be used for tactical promotions.
“Worldchoice can offer a different business proposition,” said Windsor.
“We could have two adverts pushing products, one through Thomas Cook and another through ARTAC.”