TUI & First Choice To Merge

[travelpro1]

I am an employee of the travel industry.
Most travel agents have been aware for the past 2/3 years that this was going to happen.
All the ''big boys'' will get together and eventually fix the prices and you will have no choice.
with soo many people booking on the internet rather than high street travel agents or getting internet prices and getting travel agents to match those prices means the travelagent makes no money and they have shop premisis to pay/staff/lighting/electricity/business rates etc to pay so can not afford to match internet prices indefinately
Also why on earth would you expect fist class customer service when you book on the internet you decline customer service
why on earth do you think the tour op prices are so much cheaper on the internet than on high street?
BECAUSE THE TOUR OPERATORS WANT YOU TO BOOK ONLINE
because if something goes wrong they are NOT obligate o put it right as they MUST DO if you book through an ABTA travel agent

[HW Chris]

Hi travelpro1,

With reference to your last comment.

You will find that all Tour Operators also have an ABTA licence. Their obligations to you the customer are the same as if you had booked them via travel agent.

They must therefore 'Put it right' under the terms of there ABTA license.

Chris

[travelpro1]

hi chris
you are not qujite correct
all tour ops do have ABTA licence
but ABTA stands for assocoation of british travel agents
so holidays booked through british travel agents who are members of the assocoation have a duty of care
sadly most people CHOOSE not to book through British travel agents
therfore not entitled to same level of care
which is why travel agents pay a huge bond to ensure this
In the end to be ho nest customers dont really care
as most are price lead towards the internet.
to give an example after the terrible tusnami people who booked in abta agents were contacted and flown home within 48 hours whereas
people who booked on the internet or worse booked seperate flights and accommadation had no one to help or assist them and could get home for a lot longer or even had to pay again for thier own flights back same went for hurraicaines in mexico/caribbean
hope this helps!

[azzie81]

With regards to the last comment, if you are travelling with a tour operator, whether you book on the net or in a travel agency you still get the same level of care. I am an in resort representative and all my guests get the same high level of customer service whether they book with a travel agent or on the internet. I have worked in various aspects in the travel industry (airline, travel agency, call centre and in resort) and I have never heard such a ludicrious statement!! I think you should do some research before making such obsurd accusations!

[SCUBA]

Well i work 4 going places and we are one of the shops to be closed we start our 90 days on the 25 july 07 and its still unclear really they said they will redepoly all of us but with nearly 2800 will they???

[tinkerbelle4]

I too am a travel agent and work for Thomson, and I have to admit that the merger may or may not be a good thing depending on the job losses etc, but I think everyone has to wait until the 3rd of Sept 07 (expected completion date) to see what happens.

One thing that saddens me is all the slagging off between the two companies.

I personally have used TUI and FC over the years for holidays with my friends when I was younger and single up to now looking for family / child friendly holidays.
Being honest I have has excellent holidays with both companies and the odd bad one too!

When booking a client in the shop, I personally look for the best deal for them and check out all the companies to find them the best holiday that suits their needs and budget. Which includes TUI, FC, T/Cook, Airtours, Olympic etc.

I always put myself in the customers shoes and like everyone, you want the best holiday for the cheapest price. If a customer wants a particular holiday and both TUI and FC supply the same hol but different prices I would always give the customer the cheapest option.

I do hope that when and if the merger goes ahead that there wont be too many job losses within the retail/callcentre or resort.
And hopefully the customers wont lose out on choice or price too.

We all have to keep our fingers crossed

[cooper47]

Hi Tinkerbelle,

Like you , the girl in our local thomson shop gives me the best possible option for any holiday that I choose. I have been so happy with this shop over the years that I have booked umpteen holidays and are now on their christmas card list lol. Have you any information as to why Thomson are not offering holidays to Mexico from Scotland in 2008, is this something to do with the merger?

Thanks
Coops

[edgeofthesea]

ITS A SAD TIME IN THE INDUSTRY THAT MERGERS ARE HAPPENING ON THIS SCALE BUT AS YOU ARE ALL AWARE OF THEIR IS SO MUCH COMPETION FROM THE NET THE AVERAGE A TRAVEL AGENT MAKES NOW DAYS IS AROUND �12 PER HOLIDAY BOOKING THROUGH THE TOUR OPERATOR AND THE TOUR OPERATOR WELL THEY DONT MAKE MUCH MORE HENCE THE REASONS TO MERGE BUT TUI GERMANY WHO HAVE TAKE OVER A LOT OF BUSINESS IN THE UK THEY ARE A VERY CREDITABLE COMPANY IN THE LONG RUN HOLIDAYS WILL BE CHEAPER AND I SUPPOSE ITS ALL ABOUT VALUE FOR MONEY FOR MOST PEOPLE WITH OUT THESE PEOPLE THEY WOULD NOT BE-ABLE TO HAVE A HOLIDAY AND AS A FINAL NOTE WITH THE TAXATION IN THE UK THE TOUR OPERATORS HAVE NO OPTION BUT TO CUT COST
WHICH MEANS JOB LOSSES BUT DO PEOPLE REAL CARE SOME HOW I DONT THINK SO THATS LIFE IM AFRAID
REGARDS ..... EDGE

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[itsme]

well its a bit mor than �12.00 (and thats not in our pockets) but i do have mouths to feed so actually i do care

[elledee]

I have just booked a flight through Travel Republic and the flight is First Choice... got to say I had no idea all of this was going on! All I would like to know at the moment is what your baggage allowance is with First Choice?

Thanks.