| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 08/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 1 |
| Copyright: Other |
Majors deracked in dispute over direct bookings
Scottish agents dump Thomson and Airtours over sales policyScottish agents dump Thomson and Airtours over sales policy
Operators keen to push alternative distribution methods
SCOTTISH agents are deracking Thomson and Airtours summer 2001 brochures amid growing resentment at their direct- sell policies.Several retailers have already withdrawn programmes from their shelves after the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association urged members to take action.
The move follows publication by Thomson and Airtours of direct telephone numbers, Web site addresses and Teletext page numbers throughout the new programmes.
While the SPAA stopped short of calling for a boycott, a strongly worded letter advised members to think “very carefully” about marketing the operator’s products.
Agents’ misery was compounded by a Thomson blunder over its Preferred Agent scheme, which directed customers to Lunn Poly and Thomas Cook agencies and bypassed independent retailers. In addition, 75% of SPAAagents in the Preferred Agent scheme are missing from the operator’s Web site.
SPAApresident Val Foylan said her agency, Bell Travel, won’t rack Thomson or Airtours.
“I am not against direct sell but I am no longer prepared to allow Thomson or Airtours to advertise the fact through my shop. Many agents have faxed letters of support. The SPAA is not allowed to tell agents what to do but I would back those who derack the brochures.”
SPAA tours convenor David Geddes said he was disgusted by the operators’ arrogance. “They go on about working with agents and then they put direct-sell information on almost every page,” he said.
Up to 10% of Airtours’ sales come from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick but sales, marketing and development director Ed Sims defended the inclusion of direct-sell numbers.
“I’ve got no desire to offend retailers but we need to maximise our distribution opportunities,” he said. “We don’t want agents deracking the brochures but if they do, they are just ensuring that people book direct.”
A Thomson spokeswoman said an equal amount of brochure information drove sales through Preferred Agents. She added glitches in the system were being rectified.
n See Comment, page 8 and Letters,page 10