Independents not convinced by TUI’s trade move

Agents have responded with some scepticism and cynicism to the announcement about TUI’s new trade-only brand Travelmood.

The travel giant, which is often accused of being anti-agent by independents, is launching a dedicated trade brand for its Specialist Holidays Group later this month.

But on the travel industry Facebook forum, Travel Gossip, some agents said they wouldn’t be extending a warm welcome to any Travelmood sales teams who want to call by.

"Don’t bother calling in to see us, not interested in anything to do with TUI," said one agent, Alex Williams.

"How many times have we worked with them to build up their brand, only for them to later open things to the public via their website, cut our commission and make a price match with genuine profit for the agent unachievable."

Roy Wills said TUI has done ‘everything possible to alienate’ agents and any TUI reps will be ‘given short shrift in many offices’.

To which Dawn Wilson replied: "They have reps??????"

Roger Mallock said the launch was ‘another admission that direct channel and website are not cutting it’.

And Maria Claire Phillips said: "Mmm, I’m always a class half full kinda girl, but I hope it falls FLAT on its backside."

But Susan Allan, head of trade sales for Specialist Holidays Group, insisted the launch had also received numerous positive responses from agents.

"One of the biggest factors of us launching Travelmood was as a direct result of agent feedback and in the build up we spoke to a number of key partners to share our plans who were very excited about the positives a trade only brand will give them," she said.

"The trade is an extremely important part of our business and we of course value feedback. As we officially launch this later this month with exclusive contracts, incentives and a high performance website for them to use, we hope this will bring something unique to the market."
 
TUI also sent TravelMole an example of one of the positive responses, from Jonathan Cunningham, at Romiley-based Key Holidays.

He said: "Travelmood is a very exciting product and we are delighted to be associated with it. We have always had great support with the SHG brands and we are certainly looking forward to working with SHG on the Travelmood brand and making our first booking.

"It’s refreshing as a high street, retail independent travel agent to see our feedback has been listened to and we will continue to work closely as ever with the SHG Trade Team."