EasyJet’s latest initiative is praiseworthy but a bit behind the times, comments Trevor Davis, General Manager, Freedom Travel Agents` Consortium adding What they don’t seem to realise is that…
EasyJet’s latest initiative is praiseworthy but a bit behind the times, comments Trevor Davis, General Manager, Freedom Travel Agents` Consortium adding What they don’t seem to realise is that while Stelios has been talking about it, most of the agency community has been doing it – for years.
According to the Consortium, members of the Freedom Travel Agents’ Consortium recognised the emergence of this trend a long time ago and passenger volumes have been growing ever since, 57% in 2006 vs. 2005, for Freedom Travel Agents’ Consortium members.
The idea of packaging up individual components enables us to provide choice and flexibility to our customers and offer easyJet alongside a host of other airlines when we are dynamic packaging, said Davis.
The flip side of the coin for easyJet is that not everyone wants to make their own travel arrangements and there are still plenty of people out there who are happy to pay for the experience and professionalism of a travel consultant. There are also many people who have been burnt by the internet and the low-cost carriers and as a result have gone back to travel agents.
Those same agents who provide not only the experience, professionalism and service but also the all important support when something goes wrong – yet again a step further than what easyJet is offering, concluded Davis.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
