p32-33 Letters Nov13 10/11/09 18:15 Page 33
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More of your views about Airlines must enforce their ttgluxury seminar a success –
If Only’s call to reform law own hand-baggage rules but more agents should attend
USAirtours has been experiencing the same It is time the airlines enforced their own rules I just wanted to congratulate April Hutchinson,
problems as Brendan Maguire (TTG November 6), regarding hand baggage (“Why is there not a editor of ttgluxury, and the team on a fantastic
with a number of agencies trying to manipulate standard size for all airline baggage”: TTG Luxury Travel Seminar at the InterContinental,
Abta rules, trying to force operators to incur the October 23). Park Lane on November 4.
costs of issuing tickets while withholding the I recently flew with British Airways on a work I found the whole day to be entirely relevant,
funds they have already received from clients. trip to India and was amazed at the size of thought-provoking and inspiring. The balance
In this environment it is simply not acceptable many passengers’ so-called “hand-luggage” of the speakers and topics was spot on and
to provide unofficial overdrafts to certain bags; many were larger than the suitcase I had once again the InterContinental hotel pulled
unscrupulous agencies. taken for my 10-day trip, and passengers strug- out all the stops with amazing food and
Perhaps Abta should operate a “traffic light” gled to lift them into the overhead lockers. facilities.
system to alert operators if an agency has been BA states on its website regarding hand- I feel that this should be a “must go’”
previously reported for a poor payment record. baggage: “The standard-sized bag is no more event for anyone involved in selling luxury
At least this would give operators the option than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm including the handle, travel, offering something for everyone from
of deciding whether to accept bookings from pockets and wheels.” agents to cruise lines.
risky agencies. If there were someone monitoring this on the However, I was somewhat surprised at the
flights I was on, the airline could have made a lack of agents present at this year’s event
Guy Novik small fortune in excess baggage charges. compared with the one held last year – and I
chief executive, USAirtours Any passengers with oversized or overweight certainly feel they missed out.
hand baggage should be charged excess Luxury travel and the buying patterns of its
May I lend my support to Brendan and baggage charges, and this would soon stop. consumers are evolving fast and it is events
Guy. We are also experiencing similar. such as this that can help us stay in touch with
I have an instance right now of an agent who Alex Cadogan this ever-changing market.
has still not paid a “late booking” from 35 days IT Auditor, Tui Travel I have taken away reams of valuable
ago. We have of course followed all the correct information, ideas and strategies which I
procedures and the agent has been written to Working together in tough have no doubt will be of great benefit to my
by Abta – but to no avail. Meanwhile, he is times? It’s not rocket science business.
trading and (if he is to fail) that potential The recent Aito Week, held in October, high-
payout from the bond is becoming larger. I am lighted the success of the ongoing Closer Niall Douglas
equally concerned that there is no procedure in Ties agreement between Aito Specialist Travel managing director, Full Circle,
place to warn my fellow tour operators. Agents and Aito tour operators. Wallingford, Oxfordshire
We are all experiencing unfavourable trading
Philip Breckner conditions, so it makes sense to work at both
commercial director, Discover Egypt strengthening relationships and the common
What do you think?
goal of greater sales.
I’m astonished at the comments As a result, Marco Polo Travel in Bristol had The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
made by Russell Glass of its best-ever sales month in 20 years of trading! We need your name, job title and company
PricewaterhouseCoopers. He appears to have It’s not rocket science for travel agents to address. These will be withheld on request.
no knowledge about the industry and customer engage with suppliers and work together. Priority is given to letters sent exclusively
acquisition costs. Russell, if it were more cost- Yes, these are challenging times – but agents to TTG. Please limit letters to 250 words
effective for operators to deal with customers and operators can work together and achieve maximum. We reserve the right to edit.
direct, don’t you think they’d already be doing impressive results. Email: ttgletters@ttglive.com
this and not deal with agents at all? Fax: 020 7921 8033
Gemma Antrobus Comment: Or have your say on stories on
Ronnie Findlay managing director, ttglive by clicking on “Comment on this Story”
managing director, enjoyholidays.co.uk Haslemere Travel
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