p2 oct3 1/10/08 21:50 Page 2
Revitalised indie
agents deserve
news
a louder voice
GIVEN the economic climate and bleak outlook,
it was surprising to hear one agent declare at the
Advantage conference that there has not been
a better time in 15 years to be an independent agent.
The optimism was echoed by Gold Medal’s Terry
Fisher and Hoseasons’ Richard Carrick, claiming that
the world was now the independents’ oyster.
From picking up the pieces from the XL failure to
capitalising on a trend for forward bookings and
this week
experiential trips, the specialist and entrepreneurial
approach was hailed as the key to success.
So it is fitting that just as independents are
claiming something of a renaissance, so there is a
call for them to get their voice back too.
The idea of an FTO equivalent, with a working title
of the Federation of Independent Travel Agents,
certainly sounds promising.
Alastair Campbell once blasted the industry for
being “crap” at lobbying, unheard in the corridors
Survivor’s tale moves delegates
of Westminster because it was too fragmented. So Air crash survivor Nando Parrado gave one of the most emotional speeches of
perhaps an Abta sub-group could make them more any travel industry event at the Advantage conference in Sitges, Spain. Nando’s
effective campaigners? incredible story of survival, which inspired the film Alive, left barely a dry eye
It would also help redress the balance that many in the house as he recounted his tale. Full coverage of the conference p9-14
independent agent members complain has tipped
towards operators since Abta’s merger with the FTO. Abta group. Fuel surcharges.
An equivalent for indies could even out the Indies fight for own voice p4 Air fares must rise p18
association’s focus and further strengthen the Abta Independent agency groups are The boss of German no-frills airline
brand. But where then would that leave Triton? lobbying for a new voice within Germanwings said rival airlines
Abta to redress what they regard as that had cut fuel surcharges were
CAA faces some tough choices an inbalance in how agents and merely adopting an unsustainable
What’s more important: trade confidence or operators are represented marketing ploy
consumer confidence? It’s the question that must be
keeping the CAA awake at night. Takeover deal. City & finance.
Does it stick to its guns and refuse to pay out Worldchoice joins TTA p4 Confidence dip p16
on customer claims for holidays bought via The TTA/Worldchoice merger was Research by Pricewaterhouse-
unlicensed, split-packaging agents – and given final court approval this Coopers for next week’s Travel
punish their customers? week – with just one Worldchoice Convention in Gran Canaria has
Or does it risk incurring the wrath of the member said to have indicated its found consumer confidence
trade by settling those agents’ claims? Both intention to leave has been hit but holidays are
the Co-op and Teletext have warned they still a high priority
would not renew their Atols if the CAA XL fallout.
so much as considers the latter. Big chance for the trade p6 Cruise.
But the alternative is telling The trade was urged to present a Antor report p26
those out-of-pocket customers united front to ensure it retains for Cruise lines urged tourist boards to
that their claims are not valid the long term those holidaymakers be more forthcoming in promoting
under law. “flocking” back to traditional travel their destinations and the regions
The government has left the CAA agents following the XL collapse surrounding ports of call
caught between a rock and a hard
place, and we are still waiting to Advantage Conference. SECTORS.
hear what it’s going to do about it. Support for Triton split p9 Cruise p26
Advantage’s decision to leave the Operators p30
Triton super-consortium has won Hotels & resorts p32
Lucy Huxley Editor backing from key partners such Air p34
as Gold Medal and Thomas Cook Business travel p36
02 03.10.2008
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