Travel 2/4 reaffirms agent stance

TRAVEL 2/4 managing director Shaun Hinds has been labelled ‘mad’ for refusing to scrap the operator’s trade-only stance – by travel agents.

Hinds joined Travel 2/4 last November following its acquisition by Cendant Corporation and was appointed MD in April. Since then, he has reassured the trade Travel 2/4 will not move to direct sell – and has been advised by some agents it should. “Agents ask me ‘when are you going direct sell?’ and I tell them it’s not in my three-year plan. They say ‘you’re mad, your product is perfect for it’,” he admitted.

Despite this apparent endorsement, Hinds said Cendant had no plans to change Travel 2/4’s model but will instead use technology to run more efficiently.

The company will roll out an online booking tool later this year to coincide with the opening of its new Skypark ‘super centre’ handling calls, ticketing and administration in Glasgow. The initial target is to move 20% of trade sales online.

“We’re missing out on a big market sector because smart agents are going elsewhere to book point-to-point product. But there’s huge loyalty to Travel 2/4 and if we can give them the tools to do the job, a lot will come back.”

By automating simple bookings, Hinds aims to free up staff for more complex itineraries.

“With tailor-made holidays, agents see our expertise as part of the service and I don’t have a technical application to replace that. I want 100% of everything that could go online to do so.”

Hinds said the most productive agents were crying out for better tools from operators.

Skypark will open on November 1 as planned, with consultation on the move ending on Monday. Hinds would not say how many of the 195 staff affected will relocate.