Brochure wastage ‘a huge problem’

AGENTS and operators have agreed they need to work more closely together to stem the "huge problem” of brochure wastage.

Operators were criticised for over-supplying while agents were accused of not keeping tight enough stock controls or telling operators what they needed.

Andrew Dixon, from St Andrew's Travel, Bolton, said: "It's a huge problem because we get brochures we don't want. It is difficult for operators to get it right but they have got to cut back on wastage.”

Agents claim it costs up to £500 to destroy brochures.

While some called for bar-coded brochures, Independent Options development director Sue Foxall stressed the need for co-operation.

"I think we can keep the cost of distribution down by managing and working with operators more,” she said.

Operators stressed agents had to control stocks more carefully.

Hoseasons chief executive Richard Carrick said: "At a retail level, there is no excuse for the level of brochure wastage there is today.”

ABTA president John Harding added: "More control from agents would make sure we do not put out brochures willy nilly.”

Operators said they had to produce multiple editions of brochures because of price changes and could not issue separate price supplements – allowing just one main brochure – because of Trading Standards guidelines.

TUI UK managing director Chris Mottershead said: "My preference would be not to have prices in brochures but trading standards will not allow that.”

Cosmos MD Terry Williamson added: "If trading standards let us change our prices on a frequent basis, we could produce one edition of the brochure. I would love to do that.”