Travel industry issues

Car Hire GDS (Sabre) Codes

WesleyB — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:08:17 GMT

Hi Guys;

I sell Avis car hire a lot (mainly because I don't have many problems with them) anyway, does anyone know where you can get a list of off airport location codes, i've tried the Avis website but can only get them for the states.

I've also tried the GDS, using the most obvious IATA codes as reference points and theres just loads I can't seem to find. I can find them with Europcar no problem but i'm not a fan of Europcar to be honest

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers

Best hotels in the world!

Pi_kawai — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:45:30 GMT

Hi, all!

I want to make a discussion with the topic " Which hotel is the best in the world?". Each person can talk about your best hotels in your country or the hotels you like the most in foreign countries.

Hope everyone respond soon!

Hotel Fire Safety - You Decide

fireman999 — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:15:16 GMT

When you book into a hotel in Europe you have no indication if that hotel meets minimum fire safety standards, many don't but you will never know until a fire occurs or the hotel is prosecuted for failing to comply.
Many people do not realise that the hotel owner is responsible for carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) which they are allowed to do without any consultation with an expert or local authority and it is not until a fire occurs or the hotel has a visit from the authorities that the FRA is found to be incorrect. In the UK only a small percentage of hotels are inspected each year and over 50% fail - what is it like in your country?
I want the European Commission to adopt a system of Fire Safe Hotels where it provides a database of Fire Safe Hotels that meet minimum fire safety standards such as is available in the USA see http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/hotel.shtm
This system gives the traveller the choice to choose a hotel that meets minimum fire safety standard instead of hoping that the owner has got it right.
If you support this view please support it at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/hotel-fire-safety-you-decide/

Social Networking in travel

travelmanuk — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:47:17 GMT

Do you use social network sites to boost your business profile and sales? Which sites have worked for you and how?

Impossible price matching!

LucieJ — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:25:00 GMT

Here is yet another example of how Thomson are making it impossible for agents to book Thomson holidays due to their huge internet discounts.

I have just looked at the Los Gigantes Hotel in Tenerife which is a Thomson Couples hotel for 14 nights on 9th July 2013 with return flights from Bournemouth. On viewdata, the holiday with a late check out room and taxi transfers is £1694.00 for 2 adults. On Thomson's website it is £1522.00 for exactly the same holiday. Thomson are giving us £113.16 commission! The difference between the two quotes is £172.00, so can someone please tell me how I can book a Thomson holiday for my client without having to give away my commission as well as an extra £58.84? I would book through another Tour Operator but as usual the hotel is exclusive to the Thomson Couples product. Looks like I've lost another client to the Thomson website!

Travel Agency Tourist Information Centres

TW Ed — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:40:50 GMT

Yes, you read it here first. The latest proposal to come out of the public sector, in this case VisitEngland, is travel agents could soon fulfill the role of the time honoured tourist information centre.

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/22/33310/travel-agencies-could-act-as-tourist-information-centres-says.html

Is there anyone out there keen to fill their shops with pamphlets on the local petting zoo and spend their days dealing with confused tourists who are badly lost?

Or is this yet another 'initiative' from the public sector designed to get the private sector to do its work as yet more cost-cutting occurs?

Let me know!

Holidays 4 U

Dave — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:23:20 GMT

Such a shame that yet another operator has gone into administration. I am very sorry for all those that have lost their jobs...

However, I cant help but not be surprised by it. The company had clearly gone down the Goldtrail route selling ridiculously cheap holidays!

Maybe people should start pitcing at the higher end of the market, cover all expenses and make some money! The wealthier people still have money......

The UK Holiday let down

Nickbroadland — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:56:48 GMT

Having just read Victoria Sanders section in the Travelweekly I almost thought what's the point. Here is someone claiming to be an expert on Travel and Holidays and starts off by saying the UK is to expensive. Quoting a holiday for £100 pounds per person per week based on 8 sharing. Using her own numbers £2000 for a family of 5 All Inclusive with trips out per person.

I would like to see how many Teletext holidays are around for that money (including travel to the airport and airport parking and trips out) in the school holidays?

Victoria went on to say that the UK was over priced and like incentives, she suggested that the UK was missing out by not including more offers in there deals. Mentioning free petrol voucher, M&S hamper or free tickets to a local attraction. So without checking I thought I take up those points. Remember I not look in one brochure and not even opened the internet this is just off the top of my head.

Attraction tickets - Butlins (good quality accommodation and food options as well). Superbreak, Holiday Extras
Hamper - Can be included with English Country Cottages or Hoseasons
Petrol - nope this one has me stuck

Prices, Victoria indicated you would have to spend at least £800 for a Quality UK family holiday, yet it would not take long with a company like Hoseasons to prove differant.

I feel that some people do not compare like for like and just choose to knock the UK for no reason.

Cloud Computing in the travel industry

travel4tech — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:13:05 GMT

I was sorry to see that in the recent feature about Cloud Computing www.travel-cloud.co.uk was missed from the suppliers listed.

Travel Systems Associates provide a comprehensive range of products and services for those interested in the savings and (most importantly) the business efficiency improvements that the cloud offers all of us in the travel trade.

Travel agents Vs the internet

lafre — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:12:59 GMT

Has the internet become a massive threat and possibly the main cause for the decline in travel agencies?

Many travel agents are disapearing and many have ceased trading, could the internet be the main issue...

What's everyones opinions on this?...

When I was just restoring my faith back in UK travellers this happens...

nattyboox — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:17:21 GMT

At 0901 this morning a frantic customer phoned with this...

"ive just seen on the news about all the strikes...will this affect my holiday I travel a week today...I know the imigration are on strike"

*bangs head on table*

Do you travel for business?

JamesF — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:24:57 GMT

Do you travel frequently for business?

Do you find it a hassle, scouring the internet for the best fares available?

Would you like to be saving 15-20% on your annual business travel spend?

Then why not bring an expert on board, Corporate Traveller!

Corporate Traveller are the corporate arm of the global travel company Flight Centre and are able to provide significant savings on your corporate/business travel with out spending a penny and without being tied into a contract, but simply by bringing an expert on board through Corporate Traveller, your PA in travel.

Due to our global buying power, we are able to offer our clients significant savings on airfares and hotel accommodation globally.

If you find this of interest then please drop me an email james.ferguson@corptraveller.co.uk for further information on how Corporate Traveller could work together with your business.

Help need for buisness trip?

florida — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:31:46 GMT

Hello guys,

I am going on a bushiness trip to Venezuela for two weeks.Can anyone of you suggest me some good quality hotels over their and also mentions some beaches over their ti visit.Thanks.

___________________________________________________________

Canaima

Travelbag customer relations?

Shackleford_LB — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:30:35 GMT

Hello, I'm not 'in' the travel industry but am struggling to find contact details for Travelbag customer relations.

I have made contact with someone who only deals with post-travel issues but will not help with a branch issue, which is now getting so bad I fear I will lose my booking.

I have tried Twitter and after being promised someone will contact me last week, I am still waiting. Obviously the Christmas break hasn't helped.

I see that Tony Carty is the MD for Travelbag. How do I find the contact details for his office? I have used Travelbag for my long haul travel every year for 10 years and I am very disappointed that the relationship has broken down. I am sure that Mr Carty would like to know of my experience.

Can anyone help, please?

Many thanks,

Lesley.

Ground only tours - Regulations

papayatours — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 06:47:32 GMT

Hi Folks,

We arrange ground only tours for UK customers in southasia. I'm aware of PTR and the need to set up a trust account to seperate the client money. The likes of TTA or PTS offer this service for a cost...but I'm sure I can arrange a trust account with my bank for much lesser cost. Is it allowed to open up your own trust account with the bank or do we definitely need to join one of the associations ?

Any advise much appreciated.

Regards,

PapayaTours