p32-3 Letters may1 28/4/09 18:21 Page 45
ttglive.com
letters
Freedom Direct’s collapse – We must fight APD or risk Virgin Atlantic is losing to BA
what use are Abta/Atol logos? seeing more companies fail over attitude, not incentives
Yet again our industry is set to be slated in I was disappointed that the proposed increases I read with amusement about how Virgin
the consumer press as both the “trusted” in Air Passenger Duty were confirmed in last Atlantic are spitting their dummies out over
consumer protection logos – Atol and Abta – week’s budget. British Airways’ incentive programmes for
are shown to be worthless. If the cost of flying continues to spiral on the agents (TTG April 24).
The recently collapsed Freedom Direct back of increasing taxation, the great British I have this month alone lost three big
Holidays was bonded by Atol and a paid up holidaymaker may decide that he cannot afford Caribbean bookings due to Virgin either
member of Abta, yet both protection agencies to fly – particularly in the current difficult undercutting us for customers going direct,
appear to be shirking their responsibilities economic circumstances. or refusing to assist on a price-match.
when consumers turn to them for refunds. While I acknowledge the government’s On one occasion a member of the call centre
Atol maintains that, even though Freedom efforts to tackle climate change, the conse- blatantly told me that if the customer rings
Direct’s website carried its logo, many bookings quences of this could be disastrous, both to the direct for a price-match they would be able to
will not be protected as they believe they have UK travel industry and destinations such as the do it, but not if they book through agents!
been booked as “split packages on separate Caribbean, which is heavily reliant on tourism. I feel that Virgin is becoming one of the most
contracts” and are therefore not covered. Now more than ever, we as an industry need agent-unfriendly operators and should look a
How on earth is a customer meant to to speak with one voice and oppose APD bit closer to home as to why they might be
understand that some bookings via the website before it starts to have a serious effect on losing business, rather than blaming other
are covered but others are not? our profitability. agent-friendly companies.
Surely the CAA has a responsibility to monitor Travel professionals have endured a difficult
its members to ensure that wherever its logo is 12 months, with many airlines and operators Claire Debens
shown customers are covered. Didn’t their TV, going out of business. travel adviser, Voyager Travel Direct
radio and newspaper advertising campaign tell I only hope that we do not see more
the customer to look for the Atol logo? Well businesses go to the wall on the back of APD. ■ TTG would welcome a reply from
they did and now they’re looking for Atol’s Virgin Atlantic
promised protection! Mike Greenacre
Abta, the association that customers trust to managing director, The Co-operative Travel What do you think?
protect “pipeline” money paid to agents, is also
trying to dodge its responsibilities. Darling is travel’s answer Letter of the week wins
It is telling customers that the contractual to the sheriff of Nottingham a £20 iTunes voucher
agreement lies between the customer and the In Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves there is a
£20
courtesy of the German
operator and that the operator must honour fabulous line from Alan Rickman, playing the National Tourist Office.
the booking. The simple fact is that few compa- sheriff of Nottingham: “Ban Christmas” he says, The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
nies in this climate can afford to honour book- when he cannot get cooperation to capture We need your name, job title and company
ings that they have not been paid for, and they Robin Hood. address. These will be withheld on request.
will do everything possible to get out of the Last week it was Alistair Darling’s turn to be Priority is given to letters sent exclusively to
booking. In the eyes of the customer this the travel trade villain, seeking to ban holidays, TTG. We reserve the right to edit letters.
contradicts what Abta stands for: financial make it difficult to visit friends and relatives, and Email: ttgletters@ttglive.com
protection if one of their members goes bust block businesses seeking new business abroad. Fax: 020 7921 8033
while holding the customer’s money. The good old travel agent will once more be Blog: Or why not have your say online?
The bottom line is that thousands of the smiling government travel poll tax collector. Write a blog at yourspace-ttglive.com
Freedom Direct customers are likely to be left Your vote counts in the next election. Just
without their holiday and any monies paid to because we are efficient, it does not mean we
Freedom. as an industry need to be taxed at every turn
for a government that clearly is not.
Antony Martin
managing director, Rock Insurance Paul Foster, managing director, Paul Foster PR
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