ALL ABOUT YOU — LETTERS
LETTERS
Monarch makeover Story: Monarch claims customer reviews first with Feefo deal The first job for Andrew Swaffield, Monarch’s incoming managing director, should be to sort out the delays and regular complaints. Monarch’s treatment of delayed passengers, both during delays and after when they complain or make a claim, is abysmal. Rectify this attitude and people might start to believe in the airline. l Harry Cole on
Travelweekly.co.uk Travel Weekly would welcome a response from Monarch
Turkey e-visas good Story: E-visas for Turkey are good news, says specialist operator This sounds like a win-win to me – no longer long queuing on arrival! l Mary on
Travelweekly.co.uk
Ban ‘pistes’ me off Story: UK operator to lead challenge to guides ban in France This French practice is clearly restrictive and seems designed to give a monopoly status to France’s overpriced ski instructors. This is bad for the customer experience and even worse for the reputation of the skiing industry. If I were running a ski company, I would be seeking to renegotiate
my accommodation contracts in France to leave the country as fast as I could, and I would be looking to recommend other countries to my clients where I could give them the value-added social experience that would enhance my brand rather than a lonely experience that would detract from my reputation. l David Tarsh on
Travelweekly.co.uk
Pop-ups praise Story: ITE members to
trial supermarket pop-ups Love this idea. Hopefully, the Travel Network Group will open it up to Travel Trust Association homeworkers too if it works. l Sharon on
Travelweekly.co.uk
Great Rail on track I would like to thank Tipto member Great Rail Journeys for the fabulous trip I won at the Tipto Ipswich evening last May. My husband and I spent the weekend in Brussels and Bruges and had a fantastic time. The hotel was exceptional and centrally located, and the whole trip gave me a brilliant insight into rail travel in Europe. I can now recommend this type of break with full confidence. l Ali Smith, agent, Travel Stop, Elmswell, Suffolk
Christmas stuffing
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Well, it’s nice to know where we stand with some operators. On Boxing Day, with the turkey barely digested, my sister got a message on her phone from First Choice thanking her for booking in the past and inviting her to book again – direct, of course. Trouble is, she’s never booked direct with First Choice – I’ve booked for her – but they’ve obviously gleaned her email address. The following day, I receive two ‘Sale Now On’ emails
from Balkan Holidays; they clearly have me down as an agent on one list and as a direct client on the other. And guess what? They quote prices from £244 on the agent mailing and £224 on the other. Another slap in the face. Next, it’s an email from Jet2holidays, asking me if I miss the Algarve. I’ve not been to the Algarve for years. Still, they invite me to ‘pick a way to book today’. Through an agent, perhaps? Don’t be silly. The options are online at
Jet2.com or via their freephone or live chat. I do wish companies like these would play fair.
l Co-operative Personal Travel Advisor Travel Weekly would welcome responses from First Choice, Balkan Holidays and Jet2holidays
LETTERS PAGE Email:
editorial@travelweekly.co.uk Please write “For Letters Page” in the subject line. All correspondence must be accompanied by a name, job title and company address; these will be withheld on request. Please limit letters to 150 words maximum. We reserve the right to edit letters for brevity and clarity. The deadline is midday Monday.
How strong have your cruise bookings been since Christmas?
Good 33%
Fair 33% Poll conducted January 11 •
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Poor 34%
L
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16 January 2014 —
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