Trade hits back after Airtours’ ‘Dark Ages’ jibe

rtours of tarring them all with the same brush by claiming the trade is lagging 30 years behind the rest of the retail market.

The criticism follows comments by Airtours chief executive Richard Carrick that travel retailing has been all but neglected through the lack of investment and is stuck in the Dark Ages in terms of service and pay.

Holiday Hypermarkets managing director John Donnelly said: “Airtours may well be in the dark Ages but Carrick should not tar other retailers with the same brush.

“It’s not fair to say everyone is working in that environment, we look after our staff, Airtours is behind the times.”

St Andrews Travel managing director Andrew Dickson said: “It is difficult to be a successful travel agent. You have to be innovative, train your staff and offer good customer service, choice and value for money, but not necessarily the cheapest holiday. I don’t think people get that service in Going Places.”