p4 oct3 1/10/08 21:53 Page 4
news
03.10.2008
Worldchoice a
Indies push for
‘fantastic’ deal
THE TTA’s bid to buy Worldchoice shares was
voice within Abta
given the green light by the courts on Tuesday,
paving the way for the deal to be finalised by the
Lee Hayhurst.
want in terms of representation.”
middle of October. A NEW voice for independent travel Tanzer said: “I have been in
Worldchoice chairman Colin Heal attended the agents could be forged within Abta to
C
O discussions with John about how
final court hearing on Tuesday in London’s High redress what agent groups see as an
STO
VER
we make sure the views of all our
Court of Justice. imbalance in favour of operators.
R
Y
members are represented.”
The approval of the bid, in which Worldchoice TTG understands proposals for a Todd Carpenter, director of the
shareholders were offered 275p per share, will breakaway “federation” of independent Travel Trust Association, said: “John
mean payments could be received by October 16. travel agents to represent all Abta and non-Abta has talked to me about a federation of
Heal said the finalisation of the deal would be agents have been considered for some time. independent agents. We are currently ineffective
particularly welcome for members in the current But after “positive talks” with Abta chief at lobbying because we are so damn fragmented.”
economic climate. executive Mark Tanzer, initiated by Advantage, However, Abta director Steven Freudmann,
“When we did the deal, 275p seemed a very plans for an FTO equivalent for agents within who became Triton chairman after leaving
good price, but now in the light of what’s Abta have emerged. Advantage two weeks ago, has insisted Triton
happened in the markets it’s a fantastic price.” John McEwan, Advantage chief executive, can be the voice for independents.
The deadline for renewal of Worldchoice said: “The independent sector needs to have a “The Triton voice will be heard in Abta,” he
subscriptions passed on Tuesday and Heal said more coordinated approach. said. “Abta will be the main vehicle through which
only one member had opted to leave. “There needs to be an independent grouping the industry will communicate to government and
However, he added he had had “four or five which is non-commercial and which does not have that access is going to be ever more important.”
enquiries” from Advantage members and “two a vested interest of one particular organisation. Although there is widespread support for a
or three” from Elite. “Within Abta the model has changed and unifying voice for independent agents, observers
I’m not sure the independent travel sector is said the ill-feeling between former Triton col-
adequately represented. It’s about working leagues following Advantage’s split would need
TTA boss asks:
with Abta to make sure it knows what we to pass before the sector could talk as one.
What is Triton? NEWS AT TEN:
Tipto marked its
TTA DIRECTOR Todd Carpenter has cast doubt 10th anniversary
over the possibility that it will join Triton following with a special
the takeover of Worldchoice. birthday cake for
He said: “My problem is that I don’t know what chairman Graham
Triton does. Triton Travel Group products just Balmforth (far
appear to be Global products. I have had no left), vice-
approach to join Triton and I would need to first chairman Paul
understand the benefit of being a member.” Melinis, and Jane
Triton chairman Steven Freudmann said the Dyson, of The
ability to tailor-make was vital for the future of Network, Tipto’s
the independents, but this required guaranteed secretariat. The
access to stock, which Triton had through Global marketing
Travel Group parent Stella Travel Group. consortium’s
“The default button for independent agents is latest roadshows
the status quo, but that was the default button started this week
of the Dodo. Being part of the same family, there in Birmingham
is never any conflict of interest,” he said. and Leicester.
04 03.10.2008
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