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Following the Thomas Cook deal, concerns have been expressed that agents will cease working with hotels4u.com as it is no longer independent.

While it is too early to see what sort of an impact the deal will have on independent agents, for the time being most seem content to see what happens, while maintaining relationships with hotels4u.

And Advantage sales and marketing director Colin O’Neill said the consortium would now review whether to resume working with hotels4u after ceasing to sell its product last year. The decision was made over the bed bank’s refusal to adopt principal status.

However, he said: “Thomas Cook can add breadth to the product range and it signifies a move towards consolidation.

“Any organisation joining the Thomas Cook portfolio will be joining a reputable organisation.

“As part of Thomas Cook, hotels4u will benefit from the rigorous customer service culture Thomas Cook has.”

Eton Travel retail travel assistant manager Elaine Kane agreed the agency would wait and see what happens before making any decisions, but added the agency’s independence means it can react accordingly.

She added: “If it wants to cut commission it would be a concern, but we would then react by switch-selling away as most of the properties hotels4u.com features you can find somewhere else.

“It might be more dicult for agents working in the multiples. Being an independent you can go anywhere within reason.”

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