ttg 25.09.2009

p26-27 Letters Sept25 22/9/09 16:49 Page 27
ttglive.com
letters
The ‘bait and switch’ ploy is British Airways is losing Red Sea Holidays fam trip
good news for the high street premium cabin touch found the perfect balance
In response to “Online agents rap rivals’ In reply to Karen Osborne’s letter praising I have just returned from a three-day VIP trip to
‘unobtainable’ prices” (ttglive.com), this British Airways (TTG September 18), I recently Hurghada with Red Sea Holidays, and on behalf
practice by web agencies is good news for the flew with my partner to San Francisco with BA of my fellow fam-trippers, I would like to say a
high street because once a customer’s fingers in club class on a full fare and was disappointed. massive thank you.
are burnt, they revert back to the travel agents. The BA rule of only booking seats 24 hours The trip was well organised from start to
Recently a customer bought an all-inclusive before departure has put me off recommending finish, and we were well looked after by Nicola
package on the internet for £299 whereas I was it to most of my clients, who would complain if Graham from Red Sea Holidays, and all of the
offering the same package at viewdata prices they were seated apart after paying a premium. representatives abroad.
for £279. But I am mostly put off because the flight The trip included exactly the right amount
The customer was already aware that he was leaving Heathrow was an aged Boeing 747. of hotel visits and free time, meaning that we
had, so he came to me for a price check. Will he When I sat down the walls next to me were got to experience our own hotel, the Makadi
go to the internet in future? You bet he will. filthy and my table was covered in coffee Palace, as well as see many others.
Will he buy on the internet? I do not think so. stains. We were not offered the inflight bag and We visited most of the hotels featured by
However, another customer told me he had when I asked I was told that they only gave Red Sea Holidays in Hurghada and Makadi,
bought a holiday to Sri Lanka in a five-star hotel them out now if you asked for them. including the exciting new development at Sahl
on an all-inclusive basis for 10 days for £3,000 The staff, as ever, are BA’s main weapon – Hasheesh – one to watch for 2011.
for four people on the internet, against which I they were, as usual, excellent. With Red Sea Holidays, the company you
could not compete. However, he did not book I am a long-time BA fan and have sent many book with is the company you travel with, so it
the holiday as it was for a quadruple room – not customers their way, but I feel there are other can promise to look after your customers from
for two rooms as he had requested. Will he buy airlines that have the edge in the premium beginning to end.
from the internet again? Yes, as he then booked cabins. In addition to this, its package holidays
a holiday in Menorca on the web. include all baggage, transfers and inflight
These “bait and switch” companies depend on David Gregg meals, and everything is fully commissionable.
customers like that. I think there should be a owner, Different Corners Travel, Torquay All in all, it’s a fantastic product coupled with
“two strikes and out” rule, but it won’t happen tremendous support and experience from the
as there will always be someone to follow suit. Wendy Wu Tours exceeded team in the UK, which makes a very welcome
my expectations in China and refreshing change these days!
Salma Goodes, director, Travel Mystique I have recently returned from China where I
witnessed the longest eclipse of the 21st century, Claire Nicholson
Airlines should share routes a remarkable experience in itself, but one sales assistant manager,
more to stem $11bn losses which was enhanced by the fantastic Wendy wu Monster Travel, Newcastle upon Tyne
“World’s airlines ‘to lose $11bn in 2009’” Tours, which exceeded all expectations.
(ttglive.com) is not encouraging news for I took a large group of Bath Travel clients
What do you think?
frontline agents. with me and each one was impressed with the
Low prices charged by the airlines may be excellent Wendy Wu local tour guides and the The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
comparable but fuel surcharges seem to be the overall organisation of the tour. We need your name, job title and company
lifeline for the majority of them. We ate at the best restaurants, had the top address. These will be withheld on request.
The various alliances of airlines on round- seats for shows and a marvellous reserved spot Priority is given to letters sent exclusively
the-world trips is fantastic and it would be on the Quintang river to view the eclipse. to TTG. Please limit letters to 250 words
beneficial if airlines could also use each others’ There is no underestimating the power of maximum. We reserve the right to edit.
inventory on alliance routes. Otherwise, they Wendy Wu Tours in China; we were treated like Email: ttgletters@ttglive.com
will continue flying half-empty aircraft during VIPs throughout. Fax: 020 7921 8033
off-peak and losing money. Comment: Or have your say on stories on
Christina Astill, manager, Bath Travel, ttglive by clicking on “Comment on this Story”
Dan Lala, managing director, Fast and Easy Travel Budleigh Salterton, Devon
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