p2 Contents Nov6 4/11/09 21:14 Page 2
Don’t let these tough
times destroy vital
news
trade relationships
PRETTY MUCH every travel industry conference I’ve
ever attended has heard pleas for agents to support
those operators who support them.
No more can this be true than in the midst of the
kind of devastating downturn the UK economy is
facing at the moment. It’s in times of adversity when
you really find out who your friends are.
So it was disappointing to hear about a stand-off
this week
between one agent and a trade-friendly operator
this week over non-payment for a booking.
Worse still, it appears new tougher Abta regula-
tions which cite UK agency law were being used to
defend the stance this particular agency has taken.
Of course, this may be an isolated case, and there
may be mitigating circumstances, but industry
watchers are warning operators to beware.
The voices of luxury
What a shame it would be if the pain many are
feeling in the industry right now led to a breakdown The second ttgluxury seminar was held on Wednesday in the upmarket surrounds
in previously mutually beneficial relations between of the InterContinental Park Lane in London. Ian Scott (left) from Dubai Tourism,
supplier and agent. Jennifer Fox (second left) of the InterContinental Hotel Group and Peter Hill of
This week accountants Baker Tilly revealed the Oman Air, the sponsors of the seminar, joined ttgluxury editor April Hutchinson
number of small businesses reporting concerns and more than 100 delegates at the event. See next week’s TTG for a full report
about delayed payments had doubled to 41% since
March. It acknowledged firms were having to fund Abta ruling. Conference report.
their working capital by stretching supplier credit Bed bank sticks with Abta p4 Co-op pledges support p12
terms, but said this was causing a chain reaction Somewhere2stay, one of the two Future Travel homeworkers were
throughout the economy. remaining large bed banks in told the support and backing that
The warning was that at some point this elasticity Abta, has decided not to follow comes with working for a division
will be tested to the limit and will eventually snap, Thomas Cook-owned Hotels4U of the The Co-operative Travel
causing more business failures. and Medhotels and leave the would help see them through hard
Clearly problems of this nature are not limited to association times
the travel industry, but what makes this issue
different is the presence of Abta. Competition. Interview.
It is in a unique position, not only to act as Win a green makeover! p5 Emirates plans campaign p15
a mediator to ensure customers do not Travel companies are being In his first interview, new Emirates
have to stage sit-ins, but to represent offered “Green Makeovers” by UK boss Conrad Clifford reveals
and lobby on behalf of the industry. the Travel Foundation to help how he plans to boost the airline’s
High-profile supplier resignations them transform their businesses brand
this week due to its toughened stance next year
on agency law has prompted the Air.
latest round of Abta bashing. Expansion. Air Pacific route launch p26
But would the industry Prestige opens in Canada p11 Flight times between the UK and
really rather a fragmented Prestige Holidays has expanded Fiji via Asia will be cut by 10 hours
approach to lobbying, in into Canada following a recom- when Air Pacific starts a direct
which the big boys get mendation from agent partner service between Hong Kong and
their way? Or a more Kitts Travel the islands next month
inclusive approach, even
if it means accepting a Comment. REGULARS.
few unpalatable rules. ‘The coffers are empty’ p18 Cruise p20
Our outspoken columnist, Travel Air p26
Republic boss Kane Pirie, lambasts Operators p28
Lee Hayhurst News Editor the government’s policy over Hotels & resorts p32
so-called green taxes Letters p34
02 06.11.2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80