p10-11 June5 3/6/09 22:25 Page 10
in-depth domestic tourism
ttglive.com
UK tourism experts speaking at a TTG round-table applaud
multiples’ efforts to cash in on the domestic boom, and say
perceptions of this big sector must change. By Rupert Murray
‘Indie agents are
missing UK boom’
I
ndependent agents have not been as part. Certainly, we feel we are pushing at an
quick to take advantage of this year’s open door this year and many retailers and
domestic holiday opportunities as the retail groups have really embraced the UK.”
multiples, according to Superbreak sales Bourne Leisure head of retail sales Allan
director Ian Mounser, who blamed operators Lambert said he believed any agent was
for the problem as much as agents. capable of increasing their UK sales.
“I’m not knocking independents, there are “There are no obstacles on price, we are in
some fantastic ones, but I have no doubt the this together. We know the relationship would
major multiples have latched on to this suffer if there were a price differential,” he said. Blackpool, as featured in one of VisitEngland’s new TV advertisements
opportunity more readily,” he said. “Agents’ clients buy their overseas trips from
“You are much more likely to see proactive them – and these are the same people who
promotion of our product through a Thomas might buy a short break in the UK.
MARKET.
Cook shop than a Joe Bloggs agent.” “Commission rates are highly competitive
Mounser said the fact multiples were and agents should treat the UK like any other
Britain’s bonanza
advertising that they book UK holidays in their of the many markets they sell.
shop windows was remarkable given they have “Thomson and Thomas Cook are pushing the ‘is nothing new’
their own charter and hotel programmes. UK because they know today’s UK customer is
He said Superbreak’s sales through Cook tomorrow’s overseas – it is all about retention.” TALK OF a boom in domestic tourism obscures
were up 10% and generally volumes were up, Mounser estimated that 15% of domestic the fact that the sector is already big business
although values were a little down as breaks are booked through an agent and said and growing, according to Allan Lambert.
consumers were demanding good deals. he saw no reason why this figure could not rise “It is a myth that the UK has not been
“There is no doubt a proportion of the public towards 30%. performing well over the years,” said Bourne
does not think of an agent as someone to book Shopping outlet Bicester Village’s senior Leisure’s head of retail sales. “In fact, the
a UK holiday with, because if there’s no cruise, tourism manager, Helen Peters, agreed there is current situation is merely a continuation
flight or ferry involved they do not make that potential for more business, saying: “Agents of ongoing year-on-year success and growth.”
connection,” he added. should be pushing clients to do more things Lambert pointed out that Bourne Leisure
“There is an onus on the retailer to play their and claiming all their holidays as bookings.” alone attracted more than three million
customers a year, a comparable figure to those
The TTG round-table panel
of Tui Travel and Thomas Cook.
He said the domestic market had benefited
over the past three years for different reasons.
“This year it has been about the good-value
concept; last year was sustainability and the
environment; and the year before was weather
hype – a hot summer was predicted then, but
Ian Mounser Allan Lambert Stuart Heath Helen Peters Frances Tuke never materialised,” he said.
Superbreak Bourne Leisure VisitBritain Bicester Village Abta PR manager “What is also interesting this year is that
sales director head of retail sales partnerships mar- senior tourism many entrepreneurs and self-employed people
keting manager manager are staying in the UK because they don’t want to
be too far from their business or place of work.”
10 05.06.2009
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