p36-37 Letters Oct9 6/10/09 17:32 Page 37
ttglive.com
letters
Your reactions to Abta’s decision to strengthen its articles Travel industry hard to break
regarding members’ responsibility for customer monies
into without experience
I recently graduated with a first, and yet I am
unable to get into the industry because all the
Why should bed banks honour Abta’s recent vote to change bed bank jobs require at least one year’s experience
bookings without payment? rules does not go far enough. You (“Barrhead offers £2k incentive to graduates”,
Let the battle commence! This is going to be an will sleep well at night if you follow decent ttglive.com).
interesting few weeks. Abta has banged on business practice, and do not use your clients’ Incentives or not, agencies should recruit for
about how the bed banks should honour money for anything other than what it was graduates with huge levels of dedication and
bookings of a failed agency. But why should paid for. commitment, who are quick learners and team
they if they have not been paid and are unable Decent business practice constitutes selling players, not just those who have been in the in-
to claim the money? the accommodation and then paying the sup- dustry for some time. Where does that leave us?
It seems that the majority of Abta members plier same day. The agent has their commission I am under-experienced for a job relating to
have voted in favour but what will happen on the same day, but if they “fail”, at least the my degree, yet overqualified for anything else!
now? Are its members now going to whinge suppliers are still paid and the clients get their
that they have to pay upfront as the supplier accommodation. Luke Ellix
demands?
Abta kept talking about its agency law, Elizabeth Phelps, partner, Benidorm Direct Thanks for the fam, Gold
but this appears to have no substance, and it Medal, it was just the ticket!
cannot appear to enforce it. So while it has all The vote in favour of bed bank rule I was one of the lucky agents fortunate enough
these rules, does it actually mean anything? change will probably mean the end of to have a place on Gold Medal’s recent Golden
Everyone keeps talking about financial any form of credit agreements for agents, as bed Ticket Trip to Dubai.
protection in case of supplier failure, but what banks will look to cover their potential liability. I would like to thank everyone involved. We
really needs addressing within Abta members It will be tough on smaller agents, whose were treated like VIPs from the minute we
is what happens, when an agency fails, to all funds are deferred by their merchants to arrived at check-in to when we set foot back
the clients’ monies. Is Abta going to cough up pre-pay their suppliers, especially in advance, on home ground.
the funds? for late bookings where agents have yet to Gold Medal, Emirates and Atlantis the Palm
receive the funds themselves. pulled out all the stops and looked after us with
Mark Littlejohns efficiency and top-notch service throughout.
sales supervisor, Complete Travel Solutions Karl Hen, director, Bargain Villas
Karen Thornton
Peter Goord Travel, Plymouth
Crystal’s training evening demise of the long-standing “book early – get
was a breath of fresh air best fare” strategy that the sector has worked
What do you think?
Having been in the industry for much longer hard at over the years to achieve. Instead of
than a quarter of a century, I rarely attend booking early the general public now actively The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
sales training functions. However, I recently seek out “cheap offers” on cruises. We need your name, job title and company
attended a “Take a Fresh Look at Crystal” How refreshing it was to listen to a company address. These will be withheld on request.
campaign in Belfast and it restored my faith in committing to work exclusively with the travel Priority is given to letters sent exclusively
the supplier section of our industry! trade and learn of initiatives aimed at to TTG. Please limit letters to 250 words
So many of our partner suppliers offer us supporting agents and growing a market that maximum. We reserve the right to edit.
deals with one hand and take away with the rewards both. Well done, Crystal Cruises – you Email: ttgletters@ttglive.com
other, by undercutting us via their direct-sell really did make me take a fresh look. Fax: 020 7921 8033
medium. Comment: Or have your say on stories on
A number of cruise companies this year have Doreen McKenzie ttglive by clicking on “Comment on this Story”
jumped on to this bandwagon, sadly to the proprietor, Knock Travel, Belfast
In association with
ttgluxury seminar
Headline sponsor
Creating and Maintaining
Success in Luxury Travel
Co-sponsorIn association with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Wednesday November 4th a73 InterContinental London Park Lane
register now at: ttgluxuryseminar.com
09.10.2009 37
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