p2 June26 24/6/09 19:44 Page 2
Discounting debate
was groundhog day
news
for Dover delegates
ONE OF my favourite comedy films of all time has to
be Groundhog Day.
It sticks in my mind not just because there’s a
bloke at the end playing saxophone who looks like my
dad, but because of the comic genius of Bill Murray.
The film charts how a grumpy, cynical weatherman
finds true happiness after the same day replays over
and over again until he changes his ways.
this week
Last week at the UK Cruise Convention we had our
own groundhog day.
Like last year, as soon as the opportunity arose,
cruise line bosses were harangued by delegates on
the issue that dominates the industry: discounting.
And just as last year, we heard from travel agent
Paul Stowe, as we did at Advantage’s last conference. L
ee Harrison
As a journalist I admit I’m inclined to side with the
underdog. And Stowe’s call to boycott lines that
Designing paradise
undercut certainly prompted approving noises from Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen takes time out from promoting his new Beachcomber
fellow agents in the room. Tours weddings range to read TTG. He was presented with a copy at the launch
But I can also see that hard-headed business of his Llewelyn-Bowen Weddings in Paradise tie-up with the luxury operator.
logic means there is little prospect of a solution to The designer told TTG that people should be encouraged to travel more
the discounting issue. intelligently, save up for holidays of a lifetime, and not use planes like buses.
So the question is, where do we go from here?
Talking to several delegates, I sensed they were Cruise. The Big Idea.
unhappy with some of the suggested ways to avoid Trade accepts tough line p4 Investor shares her tips p9
discounting by speakers on the stage. Agents have backed cruise line calls Investor Jane Dyson says a fearless
Some felt the advice was patronising, plain wrong for the trade to “stop whingeing” attitude will be key for potential
or just not practical. “The cruise lines need to get about operators’ price discounts entrepreneurs hoping to win
into the real world,” was a typical reaction. and get on with generating sales
But I think we heard some genuinely inspiring Ace in Dover.
stuff, not least from agents such as Gary Wardrope, ITT election. UK Cruise Convention p10
Robin Deller and Ian Gilder, three retailers among New Freudmann challenge p5 P&O claims its 10% direct discount
many who appear to be growing lucrative cruise Steven Freudmann is likely to stimulated agents’ sales too. Full
businesses away from the discount market. face a challenge to remaining as report from Ace’s third convention
Then there was the frank assessment chairman of the ITT despite his
from Complete Cruise Solution’s Giles overwhelming victory in being Flights.
Hawke, which went down well with the re-elected to the board this week Emirates Mauritius boost p20
delegates sat near me. He told some Emirates’ decision to operate two
uncomfortable truths, but also pledged Aviation. extra flights a week to Mauritius
to support proactive agents. BA considers commission p6 will help overcome a shortage of
Agents should hold him to British Airways has refused to rule premium capacity on the route
his word. out a return to paying agents
Do as he advised and, commission, as calls from the City & finance.
next year, if you still feel travel trade mount for the Discounts ‘cannot go on’ p16
you’ve been treated reintroduction of the system Industry leaders mixed discounting
unfairly, come to the worries with hopes for recovery at
convention to complain. Security. the Barclays Travel Forum
It would be good to Knife alert on fam trip p7
have a change of script. An agent has raised concerns SECTORS.
about security at Marrakesh airport Business travel p14
after observing a passenger take a City & finance p16
Lee Hayhurst News Editor five-inch flick knife on an Atlas Air p20
Blue flight during a fam trip Letters p24
02 26.06.2009
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