p40-41 letters 7/10/08 17:25 Page 44
your letters
Agents have made customers
always expect discounts
I am writing regarding the comments
concerning agents throwing commission at
Advantage’s plan
clients just to get a sale (TTG October 3).
What agents do not realise is that they are
training clients to demand discounts:
They’ll say, “Well, you gave that to me last
year”, and so you do it again. Why the hell does
this industry give away its profits? In the words
would be skewed
of the song: “When will we ever learn?”
John Spicer CAN A PLAN to have Advantage at changed and continues to change.
partner, Spicer Travel Bureau the forefront of the voice in Abta LET In 1950 Abta was started by
be of benefit to agents outside
OF THE
TER
agents who were prepared to work
Despite financial turmoil, Advantage (TTG October 3)? I to set up a recognised trade associ-
Worldchoice kept its cool don’t think so.
WEEK
ation to work for the trade. Nearly
Well done, Worldchoice! All shareholders have If we are to have a voice within 60 years down the road it is still here
received notification that the merger with the the industry it has to come from a and still doing the job it was created for.
TTA has now been approved by the court and central point. If that is Abta – and I I voted against the changes at the EGM,
that all will soon be concluded. believe it should be – then so be it, but we when the make-up of the board was changed
The Worldchoice board in general, and Colin cannot have a voice that purports to represent to 11 people: one true independent agent,
Heal in particular, deserve heartfelt thanks. the industry when it is coming from a com- a multiple agent, two operators, and five
Amidst all the volatility in the financial mercial organisation seeking benefit for itself. extra board members appointed by the board,
markets, Worldchoice shareholders are poised Our voice within Abta was lost at the EGM in one president and the chief executive.
to receive £2.75 per share on October 16. Heal April 2007, and I’m afraid to say that it is the I still don’t agree with all of the changes
has done very well for the shareholders. fault of the independents. but I am still an Abta member and chairman
However, he and the Worldchoice board have There was little support for Abta and what of the Eastern Region.
also acted in the interest of the consortium it was doing. This was very evident at regional If you don’t like what Abta is doing, don’t
members. The merger with TTA augurs well for meetings where we would be lucky to get a just complain about it to anyone who’ll
the future of the independent agent. dozen agents attend. It is little wonder listen – tell Abta.
that Abta stopped funding such meetings.
Robert Turner Don’t say that Abta does nothing for you. It Peter Cansick.
sales & marketing director, Hyde Barker Travel has had to change, just as the industry has general manager, Johnson Stevens Travel
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40 10.10.2008
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