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Adverts slammed for encouraging holidaymakers to ‘be their own agents’
Retailers have slammed operators’ adverts encouraging tourists to ‘be their own travel agents’.
Ryanair’s latest marketing email to customers said: "If you’re looking to save money on your ski holiday… it’s really worth putting in the groundwork and being your own travel agent."
And last week Visit Dubai UK featured a tweet saying: "Tip Tuesdays: you don’t need a travel agent to plan the trip of a lifetime."
The tweet has since been taken down but featured for five days.
Agents took to trade Facebook page, Travel Gossip to say how under-valued it made them feel.
Laura Shepherd said: "It’s information like that that makes people apply it to every aspect of their travel plans. Do it yourself as travel agents are always more expensive and rip you off."
Zoe Dalby of Benfleet Travel added: "No wonder travel agents are a dying breed! Everyone thinks they are a travel expert and do not understand the work that we agents put into our jobs!"
Independent Travel Expert Lorna Hardy said: "Should be ashamed of themselves any company who markets this way! If customers want a real experience for their holiday travel agents/experts make this happen. Shocking isn’t it!"
It came as agents heard the news that Virgin Holidays was becoming direct sell, with MD Mark Anderson saying it was to ensure the level of customer service.
Diane
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