Insider Info

SallyD

Travelman, a good read, but what does "amp" mean?

TRAVELMAN_2

'Amp' is a feature from the old boards that highlighted words-when copied to this board for some reason it says 'amp' instead of highligting !

TRAVELMAN_2

Morning all, will update this thread during the next week to reflect this years trends & also post up the barain areas to look for-Bulgaria is no longer top bargain spot!

Chris

TRAVELMAN_2

Morning MSERS.

Booked 2 parties yesterday-both to Costa Dorada for 13/2, 7 nights from Stansted, (yes-I know it's not 80 degrees there or busy but lot's in the area to see & good prices), one went self-catering to Salou in a 1 bedroomed apartment for £660 ( 2ad, 1 x 15 yr old, 1 x 10 year old), & the other party (2adults, 1 ch 4 & 1 ch 10) went full board 3* Hotel in Salou-£880!

Both of these were inclusive of a fully expensed hire car for the week (collected at the airport) as the cost is not much more than than a return taxi.

Thought I'd share this as SO cheap for half-Term!

Chris

TRAVELMAN_2

Tightwallet,

Just missed you-I know you are away for the weekend! Copied this to your e-mail/PM in case you have web-access in Scotland!

Have checked with the Hotel chain-you CAN use the Chinese restaurant at the Norida-not free as obviously different Hotel (although part of same chain)-locally you can upgrade & get a dual wristband for both Hotels. Am waiting for the Summer 2005 prices-have phoned the GM for Mitsis Hotels-I'd guess a few dayd for the answer as they are closed for the winter. I had the dual band last September-great if i fancied a fresh pizza at the Norida....

By the way-the Italian 'a la carte' restaurant at the Summer palace is expanding it's menu & there are rumours that there will be an 'Asian' lunch spot included-that'll be interesting-I'll keep you posted!

Chris

TRAVELMAN_2

Hi! This sort of add's fuel to the flames (PLEASE-don't use this post as an anti-industry rant-use the 'travel agents think moneysaving is immoral' thread for that...!), BUT-thought I'd show how the Tour Op's even confuse us in the Industry-heaven knows what the general public thinks!!!

Ok...regular customer-knows his stuff=researches well be fore calling me. I'm usually able to better/offer something free...etc. This customer prefers package holidays with specific kids clubs, etc & is not a DIY'ER!

Sidari Village Apartments-Sidari-Manchester/E mids/Birmingham, on/between 01-08 Aug, 6 ads, 3 kids, 14nts, s/c.

He looked on the web on mytravel site-£4480. I checken on the SAME SITE-got £5200! On our in house viewdata system....£5400. He came back to me & talked through a different flight on the web (I did it at same time)-he got it to £4042. Phoned them direct to check (as a direct customer)-£4180!!!

Our Agent price-£4581-60 ??!! So even with all commision off does not match direct web-price. Luckily we enjoy a good relationship with the Tour Op & in instances like this they'll meet us 2/3 with difference-so I can now discount to below £4040 to get my customer same price!!!

Phew!!! I know my way around the sites but HOW confusing is that! In a nutsehell, MYTRAVEL have MANOS & PANORAMA on their web search-not on viewdata. HOW can a price vary so much!!!

Crazy or what......PLEASE no flames saying we're all corrupt b*****s-just thought you'd find it interesting!

Chris

Fortyfoot

Hi there

I have used Panorame in the past for Ski Holidays. My local travel agent was reluctant to use them. The price was always very good. This may have been before they were bought out.

Fortyfoot
:cool:

peejay67

Chris,

See today's TTG with regard to what youre saying. ABAT are looking into the varying prices Tour Ops are charging online cheaper than the net prices they offer to agents. One agent found a holiday on First Choice's website 26% cheaper than the viewdata price.

I was checking flights for a customer yesterday. First CHoice had different flights at different prices on their website to what was available on viewdata??!

PJ

durain

at least you cant say there is price fixing

TRAVELMAN_2

Durain....that can't be quantified until it's looked at properly. For example, the Sidari Village I mentioned has TWO types of 1 bed apts-one is duplex the other standard-the duplex cost twice as much as the standard. Whilst I agree the pricing structureds are confusing (even to us in the trade) & need looking at, many facrtors come in to play-eg a day flight say from Norwich might cost £80 pp more (As the Airport charges HUGE FEES TO THE AIRLINES) & THE APARTMENT MIGHT BE A DUPLEX (AS ABOVE).

I don't think anyone can be so simplistic to say 'there is price fixing' when all the above factors are taken in to account-BUT the whole price structure topic needs looking at & prices need to be simplified.

Chris