p54 sep12 5/9/08 09:42 Page 54
knowledge
ttglive.com
Jenny Ley-Meek “It’s worth us
digging in our heels and making clear
to questioning DIY holidaymakers
the full support service we can offer”
M
axjet, Eos, Silverjet and now find them an alternative hotel in a nearby
Zoom are just a few airlines resort. We even arranged transfers – and
that have been grounded in they didn’t have to shell out any extra
the last 12 months. And more money either. Later our clients told us
casualties are predicted as fuel costs that others who had booked the
continue to soar and the economic hotel themselves over the internet
downturn means more would-be had been left stranded and
passengers choose not to travel. were crying in the street
Yet despite the obvious chaos because they didn’t
this causes for travellers, there know what to do
is a shining light: among the or who to turn to.
gloomy reports, news stories Perhaps this latest
are currently full of suggestions coverage will now start
and comments that those people to register in some folks’
who booked with a travel agent ears that agents do in fact
will now fare much better when add value in lots of ways,
trying to get a refund or re-book least of all in the way of finan-
flights than those who booked direct. cial protection.
It’s music to agents’ ears to hear the For those customers who choose to
media highlighting the benefits we offer, support us with their booking, we should
such as working hard on our clients’ behalf ensure they are suitably rewarded with the
to search for alternative flights or hotels, best advice and service available.
and ultimately providing them with While recent events will hit the indus-
financial protection through an Atol try hard, the resulting positive coverage
licence. It’s even sweeter as we are for agents shows it is worth us digging in
usually told clients can do it better and our heels and making clear to DIY holiday-
get a cheaper deal by buying direct. makers the full support service we offer.
I once had a large number of clients who
arrived in Costa Brava late one evening,
only to be turned away by the hotel where
they were supposed to be staying. It turned
out that the hotel had shut down virtually
overnight. As we provide mobile numbers
on the back of our business cards, they
were able to reach us straight away and
we gave them 24-hour support. Despite Jenny Ley-Meek works for homeworking
the late hour, we used our contacts to company Superior Travel
54 12.09.2008
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