p2-3 sep26 24/9/08 22:34 Page 2
Triton’s rupture offers
indie agents a choice:
news
go alone or team up?
THE PROTRACTED divorce of Advantage from Triton
has exposed vastly different views on the future for
independent agents.
In one corner is Advantage’s John McEwan, who
believes standing alone and forging close third-party
relationships with suppliers is the key to prosperity.
In the other, new Triton chairman Steven
Freudmann paints a more alarming picture of
this week
threats to commissions and the need to secure
guaranteed access to stock.
Which one of these views is right?
McEwan’s view certainly is enticing to the
traditional agent who has built their business on
selling other people’s products. “We have no ambi-
tions to be a tour operator,” he said in TTG last week.
By contrast, Freudmann comes from the “virtual
‘Zoom could have been salvaged’
vertically integrated” camp where survival depends Jonathan Hinkles, former UK boss of failed airline Zoom, has spoken to TTG
on getting into bed with larger organisations that about his frustrations following the collapse and insists the carrier was on
own product. the brink of being saved when it failed. Cashflow problems, weakening
Both demand a certain degree of discipline from demand and fuel prices all contributed to the demise, he said. p39
members because both require agents support
either the commercial terms negotiated on their Consumer protection. City & Finance.
behalf or the parent company’s product. Travel Republic p4 Co-op success p14
But while McEwan believes his strength is a Travel Republic is considering One year on from the merger of
promise of continued independence, Freudmann applying for an Atol, believing Travelcare and United Co-op, The
would argue that’s just dangerous isolation. In today’s the licence’s “commercial appeal” Co-operative Travel has reported
TTG you will find evidence to support both views. may have heightened following first-half profits of £7.9 million
Like Freudmann, City broker Andrew Monk warns the collapse of the XL Leisure City & Finance
of tough times ahead (p16). Group City pain to spread p16
Who knows how suppliers will choose to cope as Andrew Monk, chief executive of
the harsh commercial realities of a lengthy period Discounting. Blue Oar Securities, has warned
of economic downturn start to bite, although Tui is Reader Offers inquiry p5 the pain of the XL collapse will be
talking up the traditional package (p12). Watchdog Advertising Standards dwarfed by the City’s shockwaves
This is one reason why McEwan appears Authority is tipped to make a
more confident than ever in his go-it-alone ruling that could effectively spell Cruise.
strategy. With the big two realising the the end of cruising’s big discounts CCS crackdown p22
huge cost of distributing 100% inhouse, he Complete Cruise Solution has
believes independents can once again be a XL collapse. issued stricter rules for customers
vital channel. Kiss boss rebuts rumours p6 requesting booking transfers
However, Freudmann counters it’s The new director of Kiss Flights,
only a matter of time before the big Paul Moss, denies any links with Operators.
two, with their greater dominance former XL Leisure group boss Phil Gold Medal p28
following XL’s collapse, start to Wyatt after joining the start-up Gold Medal has promised to
turn the screws. days after the collapse of XL protect agents’ commissions
Maybe there is a future for following the failure of XL, and
both the McEwan and the Freudmann Advantage. seen a surge in agent enquiries
vision? But they are poles apart and Conference preview p9
the question now is, which path will Advantage has been criticised SECTORS.
you decide to follow? for its “go it alone” stance by its Cruise p22
former chairman and new Triton Operators p28
chairman Steven Freudmann Hotels & resorts p34
Lucy Huxley Editor who has defected to Global’s Air p38
Independent Options Business travel p42
02 26.09.2008
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