p28-29 letters jun5 2/6/09 17:32 Page 29
ttglive.com
letters
Astonished by your coverage BA’s new route to Maldives Who says agents are missing
in run-up to Abta election could be a sell-out out on the domestic boom?
I was astonished to read the headline “Abta’s In response to “British Airways adds Gatwick In response to “Agents missing domestic boom”
chairman ‘must lobby hard’” (TTG May 29), long-haul leisure routes” (ttglive.com), it is (TTG May 29), I would like to say that is not our
which is a barely disguised piece of fantastic news to see our flag-carrier starting experience at Grand UK Holidays.
electioneering in support of John McEwan, flights to the Maldives. I’d like to thank the agents who’ve helped us
whose principal claim is his ability to mix with It has always been just that little bit harder to over the past 25 years, and helped us reach
the power-brokers and politicians. get our premium-cabin passengers to visit the record booking levels over Christmas and Easter.
Moving on to the letters page, I find a letter Maldives as there hasn’t been a direct service We sell 85% of our holidays through agents,
from Mike Greenacre, effectively dismissing offering a full flat-bed experience. a far higher percentage than the Holiday
the opinions of a key Broccoli supporter. Thanks, BA, this service should be a sell-out. Cottages Group, and would urge agents to
And this from an Abta board member who, support those operators who support them.
quite frankly, should be keeping quiet and Nicholas McKay We have teamed up with many agencies over
remaining neutral while the election of his own travel director, Travel Designers, London their quiet periods to run exclusive “direct by
chairman is being decided. coach” holidays at bargain prices.
It is clear the FTO and much of the travel Forever holding your peace These escorted tours give agents a chance
industry “establishment” is troubled by the on an easyJet flight to build a loyal clientele of mature customers –
possibility of a candidate from the lower orders Luton authorities say “I don’t” to easyJet who like to book face-to-face – and compete
coming along and rocking their boat. Well, look wedding plan (ttglive.com). But what would with those coach operators who sell direct.
out boys, it might just be about to happen. have happened if someone knew of a just Agents looking to capitalise on the domestic
reason why X and Y should not be joined in boom and develop a loyal, lucrative clientele
Chris Bailey marriage? Would they have needed to buy an should get in touch!
Bailey’s Travel, Northants easyJet ticket or for ever hold their peace?
Harold Burke,Grand UK Holidays, Norwich
EDITOR SAYS: I would like to assure all of Nick Cooper, director, Villa Plus
our readers that TTG is not in favour of one
candidate over the other. Sandals and Beaches take What do you think?
agent relationships seriously
Wings Abroad great service We recently had a visit from a butler named Letter of the week wins a
was just like the old days Winston who works in a leading Caribbean £20 iTunes voucher
In this time of doom and gloom, I wish to resort, and the visit made us both start to look
£20
courtesy of the German
praise a tour operator for their simple booking more closely at which suppliers we have the National Tourist Office.
approach and efficiency. This operator is Wings best relationships with. The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
Abroad Turkey. Agents often write to TTG to berate the lack We need your name, job title and company
I had a client who wanted a last-minute deal, of loyalty they feel they receive from operators, address. These will be withheld on request.
so after messing around on Thomas Cook but there are some stars out there, and I have Priority is given to letters sent exclusively to
viewdata I then phoned Wings (who answered had the pleasure of growing my business with TTG. We reserve the right to edit letters.
quickly) and got a total price for my two Sandals and Beaches resorts over the past six Email: ttgletters@ttglive.com
passengers with all extras included. My client months. They offer great service and a Fax: 020 7921 8033
was booked within four minutes and his docu- proactive approach when working with agents. Blog: Or why not have your say online?
mentation was faxed over within 10 minutes. The Sell and Go incentives and occasional Write a blog at yourspace-ttglive.com
I recommend giving them a try as the book- voucher promotions are some of the most
ing process was quick and simple – just like the generous in the industry, and our area rep, Neil
old days – and they pay excellent commission. Read, is always on hand.
Laura Shepherd Jake Goodenough
Radnor Travel Service, Wales director, The Destination Lounge
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