Just when you thought things couldn't get worse in the travel industry they do !
Watch out travel agents, a certain popular holiday hotel Sani Resorts - web site http://www.sani-resort.com/en_GB is now providing a book package tab on the site. This links to one particular agent. Sanibookings.com ( a member of the Freedom Travel Group) - Great business if you can get it.
I lost two bookings today, because the prices quoted by sanibookings.com was nearly at the tour operators net. So for all of us independent agent, the question is why should we support a hotel that is clearly promoting and encouraging our passengers to book with a competitor. For me Sani Resorts are on STOP sale and I shall certainly not be recommending them, and if we all stand together and tell Sani what we think of them and there actions then as an industry we can put a stop to this.
The sales and marketing director of Sani is Mr Andreas Birner and his email is abirner@saniresort.gr and the revenue manager is Mr Kostantinos Zarkadas and his email is kzarkadas@saniresort.gr
Totally agree - but this isn’t new for 2011. I had the same problems last year with Ellies in Manchester (may be the same company that you’re referring to) they were basically quoting NETT rates to clients for The Sani Resort!!! But with the help of W&O Kids in the Med we managed to secure those bookings.
The new problem that we're facing this year is the new resort of Martinhal Beach Resort in the Western Algarve, it seems that they are letting some direct sale operators sell at nearly NETT rates - lovely!!!
Catherine
Hi
Some time ago agents were being advised to get direct contracts with hotels to compete with the big boys. Daid Speakman said this was the future and agents could no longer rely on operators to provide product. It seems like Abta 83465 has done exactly that. They have a number of good looking sites pushing selected hotels / resorts. Looks like a good business model to me. Find a niche and go with it!
Yes Superparker, there is one thing having a direct contract with a hotel, but the problem is not an agent doing so but the Hotel, putting a button on the hotel website linking directly only to one agent is hardly acceptable ! Why should other agents recommend that hotel to clients, when the hotel is clearly showing bias to one agent. Would the hotel survive on just that one agents bookings ! - I doubt it.
Hi Nick, I totally agree - competition should be on a fair playing field and when a hotel favours one operator over the rest this is not level. We have a direct contract with Sani and I have recommended and booked numerous clients with them but not any more. Why should I suggest it to new clients that have not heard of it before - only for them to go to their website to see the property and be directed to another operator - it is one thing for clients to shop around of their own accord (something that fortunately doesnt happen to me a lot) but another when the property you are recommending loses the business for you - thanks for the email address. I shall be writing to them myself also