Conference warned over major operators’ bed-stock dominance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal: TWUK	Section:
Title:	Issue Date: 24/07/00
Author:	Page Number: 6
Copyright: Other

 

 

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Conference warned over major operators’ bed-stock dominance

Independent operators are being increasingly squeezed out of the market by the major operators battling for hotel beds in mainland Europe, according to travel industry consultant Brian Axon-Boyes.

 

 

The fight for hotel beds was already leading to increased prices for independent operators for next year, Axon-Boyes said. “Some of you who have done contracting for this year have already met increased prices. It is happening.”

 

 

He predicted the situation would get worse if the Preussag/Thomson deal went ahead.

 

 

“There is the mother of all battles for market share going on across Europe,” he added.

 

 

The lack of available bed stock for independent operators had already been exacerbated by the uneven playing field in the charter seat market with the major operators controlling a huge share of the seat capacity (see graph below).

 

 

He urged Campaign for Real Travel Agents members tocapitalise ontheir customer database and adapt to the changing marketplace.

 

 

He also urged independent agents not to believe that what differentiated them from the multiples was their customer service because mystery client surveys hadactually proved them wrong.