Web firm wants to work with agents

Internet travel firm OctopusTravel.com says many agents aren’t ‘internet savvy’, so it has recruited four account managers in a bid to increase bookings through the trade. Octopus managing director Ray Mason told TravelMole: “We need to encourage agents to sell more accomodation. Our account managers have been talking to agents all over the UK in the past week and they are saying that it is just a habit thing. “Agents are happy to sell a flight but we want to get them into the habit of asking what the person is planning on doing when they get there.” The company is keen to sign up agents – who will receive 10% commission on bookings – to its Retail Booking System. Octopus has a deal with major independent wholesaler Gullivers Travel Associates which it says means it can afford to pay agents commission and still make a decent profit margin on its hotels portfolio. Mr Mason says agents also need to get more confident using the internet. He told TravelMole: “A lot of agents aren’t that web savvy, although the independents tend to be better, so we need to boost their confidence.” A spokesman claimed that some agents could even make more than the 10% commission Octopus was offering. He explained : “Some more enterprising agents are even looking at what the equivalent prices are elsewhere and then adding their own margin on top.” Recognising that agents don’t want to constantly switch between booking channels when dealing with customers, Mr Mason said Octopus was seeking to be integrated into a number of agent portals. It is already signed up to Telewest’s Endeavour and Ramesys, and Mr Mason says two or three others will be live in a matter of weeks. Octopus is not alone in seeking to bolster relations with the trade. Last week Lastminute.com signalled its determination to build up a retail presence with its £12.1 million purchase of hotel reservations firm First Option. The company has 21 booking outlets at railway stations and airports in the UK. It also signed a deal with United Co-op providing United customers with hotel deals and is busy building dynamic packaging technology for retail agents to use. Meanwhile OctopusTravel.com has signed what is claimed to be an “exclusive partnership” with Freeserve, giving the ISP’s customers access to its hotels portfolio via the Freeserve Travel Channel www.freeserve.com/travel. Customers will be able to access exclusive promotions and competitions as well as special hotel deals.