Package holidays and allocated seating – is this a new easyJet?
MY MUM hates flying with easyJet or other no-frills airlines. She’ll do it when she has to, but the scrum for seating, even if she’s paid for so-called “Speedy Boarding”, is enough to make her check all the travel alternatives before she plumps for a flight, or a package, with her last resort. If easyJet makes the move to allocated seating –
even with the addition of another charge – she will think again, and so too will a lot more consumers. Coming at the same time as the move to upgrade its holiday operations, the latest developments from easyJet are likely to make the brand significantly more attractive for some consumers than it is today. Agents will be concerned about the potential for a new easyJet to suck up significant chunks of their business in direct sales, and rightly so. But if the expansion sees easyJet putting on more
routes to leisure destinations where there is cur- rently a shortage, couldn’t it present more options for agents putting together a package for customers? Particularly if said routes offer customers the chance to book their seats, instead of the usual free-for-all. The noises coming from easyJet suggests it could
be softening its stance towards working with the trade, and TTGwill be following the changes with interest. The strategic shifts going on at easyJet under new boss Carolyn McCall could make a big difference to the UK travel industry within the next few months. They may make a big difference to my mum too.
Welcoming the ITT This week TTGannounces a major new partnership with the Institute of Travel and Tourism. Since coming into the travel industry I’ve rapidly become aware that the aims of the ITT, to raise pro- fessional standards among people working in travel, are very closely aligned to those of TTG. I’m delighted the ITT has recognised this too, and you can expect to see the institute taking a close involvement in TTG in the
years ahead – starting this week on p6, where we reveal some exciting news about its summer conference. Expect much more from this partnership in the pages of TTG, and beyond...
Daniel Pearce Editor
dpearce@ttglive.com
02 29.10.2010
news Meet Thomas Cook’s ‘Millionaires’
Some 46 Thomas Cook agents who had collectively sold over £1 million worth of cruise holidays in the last year were treated to a champagne reception at Eaves Hall, Clitheroe, Lancashire. The “Millionaires” are made up of a specially trained team of consultants based in Accrington, and homeworkers from around the UK.
Promotions.
Cruise lines get early start p7 Royal Caribbean has joined a growing list of lines unveiling winter promotions to encourage customers to book ahead for 2011, despite fears over government cuts
Trust in Travel Agents.
‘Agents get the best deals’ p9 Despite the ease of booking direct through the internet, an exclusive survey by Harris Interactive has revealed that there is faith in travel agents to get the best deal
Credit cards. Bank’s cash flow solution p10 A new method of assessing travel companies’ financial risk is needed so agents and operators’ cash flow is not hit by tough terms for using credit cards
Conference report.
www.twitter.com/danielpearce
Airport charges online? p12 Members of the Airport Operators Association gathered in London to discuss the state of the industry – including new airport charges
Cruise. Opera boosts MSC sales p18 MSC Cruises has seen bookings in the UK and Ireland increase by 110% year-on-year for its 2011 itineraries, helped by Opera’s sailings from Southampton
Hotels. Accor’s 300 hotels a year p20 Hotel group is planning a mass expansion that will see it open almost one hotel every day over the next four years
Operators. Ski bookers wait it out p22 Independent ski operators are facing a later booking market for the forthcoming winter season as consumers wait for deals
REGULARS.
City & finance p14 Comment p16 Cruise p18
Hotels & resorts p20 Operators p22 Letters p24
this week
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