p40-41 letters oct3 30/9/08 18:01 Page 41
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Thomas Cook was calm in For us all to survive, agents Thanks, Prestige, for my
Turkey, despite XL collapse must stop undercutting agents adventures in the Algarve
I was one of the many people who travelled In the last week, as the credit crunch kicks in, I would just like to thank Diogo Castanheira and
with XL Airways during its demise. we have had two clients make the same holiday Prestige Holidays for a fabulous trip to Portugal.
I am writing so that I can praise Thomas Cook enquiries with other agents. I have been in travel 24 years and never been
in Marmaris and Bodrum, Turkey, who dealt Nothing wrong with this, I hear you say, as to the Algarve. The gastronomy, the culture, the
with the matter with efficency and calm. the customer is always free to choose with properties, and the beaches were all top notch.
We were due to leave Turkey on September whom they spend their money.
15, three days after XL went under. But when I am advised by these clients they Karen Allen Aspen Travel, Manchester
We were advised to go to the airport at the can book the same holiday with another agent
time stated on our tickets, which we did. We for anything from between 8% and 11% less
cleared security at Bodrum only to be met by a than the cost I’ve quoted, I am truly astounded. Generous Discover Egypt
gentleman who enquired what flight we were on. We all know there are agents out there who had it all covered
We told him it was XL Airways and he discount heavily, but what surprises me is why I recently booked a cruise with Discover Egypt,
directed us to four check-in desks with not a these agents are willing to work on margins of followed by a week in El Gouna on the Red Sea.
soul at them. We were then advised that the sometimes just 2%. I cannot praise the operator enough: the
flight would leave at 13.00, 45 minutes earlier I would also like to know why these agents atmosphere, food, organisation and guides on
than we expected. Not only did the flight take devalue themselves so much by offering these their, admittedly somewhat ageing, Viking
off on time, but we were also served free soft huge discounts in the first place? Premier boat were all superb, and the transfers
drinks and a meal – a rarity on UK chartered We are a small independent agent with a and representation in El Gouna equally excellent.
flights these days. Well done to all. huge repeat client database. We rarely discount However, what really impressed us was the
and we put this down to the level of service we efficiency and generosity with which the
Barbara Nelson FCm Travel Solutions give our clients along with our unbiased company arranged a convenient return flight
opinions and our choice of operators that we and dinner when the airline we had travelled
choose to work with. out on, Zoom Airlines, ceased operations
No TTG Award, but Holiday We always offer what’s best for the client, not during our holiday.
Taxis is a winner in my eyes our bottom line. We would never blindly choose It just shows that it pays to be protected by
After all the turmoil of the past couple of an operator that offers us 13-14% over one that travelling with a true specialist.
weeks, I hold my hands up for Holiday Taxis. gives us 10%.
Although it failed to win an award at the TTG These discounting agents must think about Reinhard Wiersum Redhill
Travel Awards, for me it has surpassed all what they have to offer clients other than
expectations by dealing with a client’s discounts. Some of these agents have been in
What do you think?
complaint in such a professional manner. business for many years and have a wealth of
This is a lesson to be learnt by our travel experience that is invaluable, so why do they not Letter of the week wins
partners who on the whole give us agents a use this to their advantage instead of discounting? a £20 voucher from
very shoddy after-sales service. Clients looking for discounts rarely become Amazon or iTunes.
£20
As I write this letter I am holding for a tour regulars as they are always going to want a deal. The deadline for letters
operator who has had two rooms on request for So why don’t theses agencies let them go online is 10am on Tuesday.
over a week; on phoning the hotel myself today and book without any human contact, as in the We need your name, job title and company
out of sheer frustration, I have been advised long term it saves them time and perhaps gives address. These will be withheld on request.
they have no request on their system. the opportunity to convert those other clients Priority is given to letters sent exclusively to
Thanks, Cosmos, for nothing. with money to spend who are willing to pay for TTG. We reserve the right to edit letters.
your expertise – and are not just after a deal. Email: ttgletters@ttglive.com
Jenny Jackson We all face a tough 2009, but if we stick Fax: 020 7921 8033
luxury travel specialist, Instant Paradise together we will come through. Blog: Or why not have your say online?
Write a blog at yourspace-ttglive.com
■ TTG would welcome a reply from Cosmos Name and address supplied
Entry deadline today!
Recognise.
The winners of the agent
categories at this year’s
Reward.
ttgbusiness Awards will
Tuesday December 9, 2008
be heading for Shanghai,
Radisson SAS Portman Square, London
Inspire.
courtesy of British Airways
and Jumeirah Hotels
To enter the awards or nominate, visit www.ttgbusinessawards.com
For further information please contact: For sponsorship opportunities contact:
Ellie Spreckley, ttgbusiness event co-ordinator Jamison Nesbitt, sponsorship director
sponsored by:
tel: 020 7955 3751 tel: 020 7921 8457
email: espreckley@cmpi.biz email: jnesbitt@ttglive.com
03.10.2008 41
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