In the first few weeks on 2007 there has been much conjecture in the National and Travel Press on “consolidation” within the four major travel groups. Will it happen? My opinion is that it will and that it will ultimately benefit the entire travel industry. For some years now I, along with a number of…
When should you consider an exit or the sale of your business? Perhaps it is not high on the list of priorities when you set a new business up but, maybe surprisingly, that is when you should reflect upon a future disposal because it is at this time that you can structure and implement procedures…
2006 was not a vintage year for the Travel Industry. Market conditions were tough resulting in many failures, some high profile, and the state of confusion that now exists over Consumer Protection post the Judicial Review and the unedifying squabbling on interpretations of same is a depressing end to the year. Will 2007 bring an…
Hats off to Mytravel and Thomas Cook for the astonishing merger. As I highlighted last month consolidation was definitely on the cards but I do not think many industry commentators had these two paired. The winners are the Mytravel shareholders whose shares jumped by 40% on Monday morning last week. However this will not be…
Throughout World Travel Market the talk of the town has been tour operators’ liability after the regrettable “Corfu Tragedy”. Some of the main travel consortia and large agencies have indicated that from January they will require UK bed banks to supply overseas holiday accommodation as a principal and not an agent or broker for an…
After months of waiting The Court of Appeal has finally handed down its judgement in the appeal by the CAA of the Judicial Review by ABTA of the CAA’s guidance on the definition of a package. ABTA has once again been successful in its challenge in what should prove to be a landmark decision by…
The demise of the package, component selling, split contracting, unbundling, single products, principal or agency – the ever changing face of the marketplace brings with it related problems. When was the last time you carefully reviewed your terms and conditions, sales documentation, website and advertising to ensure the contractual arrangements with your customers were clear…
I am by nature a very positive and hopefully proactive adviser to my clients. However having a current and varied portfolio of 150+ travel companies whom I advise I cannot help but notice that 2006 continues to bring a steady stream, of very specific and continuing difficulties for the trade as a whole. The year…
