p38 Jenny Mar5 2/3/10 14:24 Page 38
knowledge
ttglive.com
Jenny Ley-Meek “Operators must
send us first-hand information to
show our customers that everything
at their Madeira hotel is ‘normal’”
L
ast week, even before the earth- money that they should still go. Worse still,
quakes hit Chile and floods hit I have to advise clients who are adamant
western Europe, Madeira suffered about not travelling, to what they can only
heavy storms, causing catastrophic see on the news channels as a “devastated
flooding and extensive damage, in which area,” that they stand to lose their money if
more than 40 people, including one British they don’t travel.
tourist, lost their lives. In my opinion, those tour operators
The Madeirans are some of the most who are quoting “normal booking
welcoming and hospitable people I conditions apply” and charging
have come across on my extensive 100% cancellation charges
travels and are to amend such Madeira
so proud of their unique and bookings should try to
beautiful island. It’s for this do some of the con-
reason I am always recom- vincing themselves.
mending and energetically sell- These operators need
ing Madeira to my customers. to send us something
Prior to hearing of this tragic to show to our clients
event we had received an unprece- that they have first-hand
dented amount of feedback from information that everything
clients thanking us for their wonderful at our customer’s particular
holidays on the island. hotel is “normal”.
Having said this, with a few bookings yet They must help us assure these
to depart over the next week or two, it has clients that it is safe to travel and that this
been a difficult week dealing with customers’ is the reason you fail to refund or allow an
queries and concerns. Understandably they alternative holiday – not through greed or
are unsure as to the decision they should simply because you just don’t care.
make about whether they continue with They should help us to help our
their holiday. customers – after all, that’s what sets us
While the FCO is currently advising apart from the internet.
against travel to large parts of Chile, it is
advising holidaymakers due to fly out to
Madeira to carry on with their travel plans
as normal. My travel agent head agrees
wholeheartedly that we should continue to
support Madeira and encourage people to
continue to visit this island, where the
main source of income is tourism.
However, my heart finds it extremely
difficult to convince someone who has Jenny Ley-Meek works for homeworking
saved up and spent their hard-earned company Superior Travel
38 05.03.2010
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