p9 jan16 v2 14/1/09 20:32 Page 9
ttglive.com
financial protection news
Agent Offers
Abta insists on change
Every agent who books any holiday
with Cadogan departing in 2009
between now and January 31 will
in law on protection
be rewarded with points which will
translate into cash prizes. Agents should email
all booking references between February 1-15 to
Lee Hayhurst.
agencysales@cadoganholidays.com THOSE who hope the EU will sort out consumer
protection by changing the law are just avoiding
Silversea is offering travel agents a the issue, according to Abta.
5% bonus commission for all Andy Cooper, the association’s head of
bookings made before February 28 development, reiterated calls for a change in UK
for 2009 departures on Prince Albert law as financial protection emerges as the major
II, the latest addition to the fleet. The offer is competitive issue this January.
valid only on new bookings. For more informa- “There is work going on in Brussels on this but
tion or to request a brochure contact Silversea on blaming Europe is just a way of kicking it into
0844 770 9030 or visit
silversea.com the long grass,” he said.
“At the moment we have everyone lurch-
Wimco Villas is launching a global ing about because the government cannot Thomson/First Choice’s adverts have
travel agency incentive programme come up with a solution. It needs a change in stressed their holidays’ financial protection
that includes uncapped year-end the law – everything else is a fudge.”
bonuses, valuable gift certificates for The latest salvos in the battle to be seen Other independent retailers,
high-performing agents, and a 10% commission to be offering the best protection came including Travel Counsellors, have
for all villa and hotel bookings on St Barths. Go from Thomson and First Choice in a new also been touting their protection.
to
wimco.com/about/travel-agents.aspx advertising campaign promoting Atol cover. Travel Republic, the online
The company estimated one million holiday- retailer facing court action over 20 alleged
Holiday Extras has launched a makers could have their plans disrupted this year breaches of protection law, started offering IPP
competition with
Travelguru.tv and due to their provider ceasing trading. supplier failure insurance from January 1.
the St Lucia Tourist Board to win a It warned that 20 million holidaymakers will Abta, although criticised for having changed
seven-night holiday at the island’s travel unprotected this year and up to 100,000 its policy in 2006 so that it no longer offers the
Discovery Marigot Bay property. To find out people could be left stranded overseas if there consumer a gold-plated guarantee, said the
more, go to
holidayextras.com/st-lucia were further collapses. cover its members offered was “transparent”.
Tim Williamson, customer director, said: “It Cooper added: “The consumer should know
ttglive.com
was important we took a more aggressive stance, exactly what is and what is not protected.”
For more agent offers see visit
ttglive.com/agentoffers
so that people understand the risks. Our aim is
not to scare consumers, but to reassure them.” ■ Atol issues for XL claimant: Letters, p34
Speakman calls for comprehensive solution
TRAVEL COUNSELLORS has called on tailor-made travel arrangements, he Travel Counsellors has operated a trust fund
the industry to agree to a form of added. since 2004 that the firm claims offers 100%
comprehensive financial protection “I am delighted that other travel peace of mind because all customers’ money is
that covers everything customers companies at last seem to be taking kept until they return home.
book. the issue of financial protection Speakman said the current financial climate
David Speakman, chairman of the seriously,” he said. had led to a rush of firms looking to protect the
Bolton-based agency that employs “But I am still concerned that customer.
800 UK-based agents working from the issue is being fudged and that But he added that the big two, with their
home, said he welcomed the recent a customer will need to read the commercial power, could have led the industry
focus on protection in campaigns. small print to see whether they are on the issue.
But he said with the Atol system covered or not.” “The largest players in the industry, buoyed by
protecting only packages, charter Speakman cited Thomas Cook’s the savings and cash from the mergers, could
flights and scheduled flights bought Speakman: “The issue is being fudged” 24-hour money-back guarantee, have provided clear leadership.”
through consolidators, the customer saying the small print stated that
needed a “no strings attached” scheme. it was applicable only to holidays booked in a ■ The CAA’s lawsuit against Travel Republic
A growing number of customers need cover for certain time frame for travel in a limited period. should finally bring clarity: Chris Photi, p17
16.01.2009 09
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