p4 jan9 7/1/09 20:53 Page 4
news
09.01.2009
AIR PASSENGER DUTY.
Treasury hears
New Stella boss to
APD grievances
focus on Travel 2
THE TREASURY has made a pledge to Abta that
Lee Hayhurst.
in the UK where it owns Harvey
it will investigate whether Air Passenger Duty THE NEW boss of Stella Travel UK plans World Travel outlets, nine of which
unfairly penalises agents from Northern Ireland to build on the independent status of were closed before Christmas.
and Scotland. its Travel 2 brand, following rival Gold “We are looking at the future
Head of policy David Marshall met Treasury Medal’s acquisition by Thomas Cook. direction for Harveys in the UK. We
officials this week, along with Doreen McKenzie of Andrew Botterill, Global Travel must decide whether to invest in
Belfast-based Knock Travel and Alasdair Tannahill, Group chief executive, was confirmed the brand as a retailer or revert to
secretary of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Asso- in his new role as Stella’s managing the model we have elsewhere in the
ciation, to raise concerns that customers travel- director this week after a six-month Botterill: Stella UK boss world,” he said.
ling abroad via London had to pay the tax twice. strategic review of Stella’s UK division. Botterill accepted that after
Marshall said the issue had become more In the wake of Cook’s buyout of Gold Medal last several departures and changes in management
pressing since the government dropped plans to month, Botterill said he would focus on Stella’s at Stella UK, there now needed to be a period of
scrap APD and increased the tax instead. Travel 2 and Travelbag brands while reviewing stability at the top.
He said the officials had requested more the future of Harvey World Travel. He takes over from former Flight Centre chief
information about examples of how customers “Travel 2 is a well-known operator and executive Shane Flynn, who himself succeeded
had been penalised. wholesaler and probably the main independent Andrew Laurie only last summer.
The officials also promised to look at poten- wholesaler servicing the independent travel
tially changing the tax to stop premium economy agent market,” he said.
passengers being taxed at the higher rate “That there has been some acquisitive activity Jury still out over TTA: Bosses of the Triton
imposed on business and first-class customers. in that space is a good thing. There may be future super-consortium, which includes Global and
consolidation but it gives us the opportunity to Worldchoice, are still in talks over membership
Abta fears over
review how appropriate our proposition is.” of Worldchoice parent Travel Trust Association.
Botterill is looking to improve Travel 2’s A decision was expected before Christmas but
lack of insurance
branding, technology and expertise in long-haul one is now not expected for at least two weeks.
destinations.
He said Stella operated a franchise/member-
ABTA was inundated with hundreds of calls from ship model for its retail outlets globally, except ■ Gold Medal founder on Cook deal, p10
agents before Christmas, who were unaware of
new travel insurance regulations.
The volume of calls suggested a significant
Kuoni extends online discounting
number of agents were not prepared for FSA
regulations that came into force on January 1. KUONI has extended its 5% online discount to The latest online discounts apply only to
Abta has issued a statement admitting it include all beach holidays booked online. beach destinations, which represent a small
was worried more people will travel uninsured In November the operator offered online cus- proportion of Kuoni holidays.
this year and is poised to survey members on the tomers a 5% off incentive to book trips to the Mal- Mascarenhas said: “Of course agents do not
changes. dives, Mauritius and Barbados for a limited period. want these discounts, but we have spoken to
Members can apply to become introducer- This ended Kuoni’s policy not to discount almost all our key partners and explained why
appointed representatives through AbtaSURE online and angered some agents who felt it was we have had to do it – most of them have been
Travel Insurance provided by Citybond Suretravel. a blow to a valued long-term relationship. understanding.”
So far just 33 agents have signed up, with 12 Sales director Manuel Mascarenhas said it was Mascarenhas reiterated the support offered
more in the pipeline. vital to maintain market share. to agents, citing Kuoni’s new 16-page leaflet for
Agents can get more advice at
abtasure.co.uk. He added: “Many agents use their commission agents to use to promote its 30% sale.
to discount, so this is not an anti-agent move; He would not rule out Kuoni offering further
■ ‘FSA hangover for new year’: Letters, p34 they still have our full support.” online discounts.
04 09.01.2009
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