Teletext analogue switch-off sparks search for new sales channels

Agents and operators are being forced to find new sales channels following news Teletext Holidays could switch off its analogue service two years earlier than planned.

Teletext is removing all services from Sky in December, and closing its news and information services in January 2010. A decision has yet to be taken on whether travel will come off analogue TV in January 2010 instead of 2012, affecting 24 travel advertisers.

The holiday service remains on Freeview channel 101 and teletextholidays.co.uk, thisistravel.co.uk, and villarenters.com.

Freedom Travel Group and Future Travel managing director Jane Atkins said analogue sales had decreased significantly in the past year. Members had already begun sourcing sales via Travelzoo, Icelolly or in-house websites. She added: "We need to think of other ways to make the phones ring."

Privately, some agents are unhappy with the changes, originally anticipated for 2012. Some are rumoured to receive 60% of leads via analogue, but Atkins dismissed this: "I'd be surprised if anyone gets those volumes now."

Teletext Holidays managing director Victoria Sanders said the company would do all it could to promote its digital and online channels. Its advertising campaign goes live on July 24. She said: "There is a declining percentage of sales from analogue. We are just bringing forward the natural migration to digital TV."