BATH Travel is considering becoming a Thomson Preferred Agent despite being one of the scheme’s fiercest critics when it was launched.
The southwest miniple held talks with Thomson and was discussing the position at board level as Travel Weekly went to press.
Bath Travel joint managing director Stephen Bath said Thomson’s watering down of the scheme had paved the way for talks.
“The original requirements were arrogant but Thomson has now revised the criteria,” said Bath. “The question of names and addresses is still there which I am still uncertain about but we are considering the possibility of joining.”
Bath said it had been steady supporters of Thomson but refuses to offer discounts.
Thomson sales director Manuel Mascarenhas said he hoped the agency would sign.
“I believe they were impressed with the joint direct marketing,” he said. “I know they do not discount but there are other forms of incentivising.”
Under the revised scheme, Thomson reduced the level of business required to become a Preferred Agent and dropped the demand to use the controversial totem pole window display.