23 September 2008

Freudmann quits Advantage, claiming it is going backwards

New Triton chairman Steven Freudmann has resigned from Advantage, claiming the consortiumââ¬â¢s leadership is taking it back 10 years.

Freudmann was a founder member of Advantage in its former guise as the National Association of Independent Travel Agents 30 years ago, but has today tendered his resignation and will join Independent Options. He takes over as chairman of Triton with immediate effect, following the departure of Advantage managing director John McEwan last week.

Freudmann said he had left Advantage for the following reasons:

• He is unhappy about key decisions made by the board.
  
  
  
• He disagrees with Advantageââ¬â¢s decision to negotiate with independent suppliers and believes they are dangerously exposed in a market that is continuing to consolidate.
  
  
  
• He is disappointed that Advantage now appears to want to poach members of rival consortiums and believes they should be concentrating on other challenges.
  
  
  
• He believes it is petty that Triton members, including sales director Andy Freeth, have been banned from attending the Advantage conference.
  

ââ¬ÅâœMy departure from Advantage is sad because I have been involved for so long but Iââ¬â¢ve become increasingly concerned about the way it is being run,ââ¬~ he said.

ââ¬ÅâœKey decisions have been made by the board which I am not happy with, but for confidentiality reasons I cannot talk about them.

ââ¬ÅâœBut another big issue is the unilateral declaration of independence by Advantage and their decision to negotiate separately. The issues that led to the creation of Triton ââ¬' commission cutting ââ¬' are as valid today as they were then. Triton remains a very, very good idea.

ââ¬ÅâœI believe it should be united we stand and divided we fall. Just because Advantage has got a deal with TUI now doesnââ¬â¢t mean they will have one in the future.

ââ¬ÅâœConsolidation is gathering apace and with just 330 members, Advantage is dangerously exposed and vulnerable. If they think commissions are likely to go up, they are so wrong. I expect it will be the opposite and Advantageââ¬â¢s stand is taking us back 10 years.

ââ¬ÅâœMeanwhile, during the three years of Triton, there was an agreement that no-one would poach members of other consortiums, but Advantage now believes that should come to an end as they have left the association. For us to have open warfare and for Advantage to now be concentrating on poaching Global and Worldchoice members would be so silly and itââ¬â¢s disappointing because there are so many other challenges out there.

ââ¬ÅâœTriton technology and products are used by 80 per cent of Advantage members but bizarrely Triton are not allowed at the Advantage conference. Andy (Freeth) had had his attendance at the conference withdrawn and many agents will be annoyed about that because he is a key supplier. But also, it is so petty.

ââ¬ÅâœFor these reasons I cannot stay with Advantage any longer.ââ¬~

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• Good Move
  
  

  At least Steven has the courage of his conviction and has quit Advantage to become Chairman of Triton. I think he will do well and I think it is a good move for him and for Triton.

  By Steve Pattenden, Tuesday, September 23, 2008
• How does he do it?
  
  

  In answer to Alexander's comments, it is Freudmann who is squabbling and making trouble, not Advantage. Triton has not worked for Advantage for many years.

  By Roger Yates, Tuesday, September 23, 2008
• Deluded
  
  

  This man is deluded with his own self importance. The guy was chairman of Advantage when the board unanimously decided to leave Triton. Has he had a bump on the head? or an offer from Global he couldn't refuse?

  By Roger Yates, Tuesday, September 23, 2008
• loathe
  
  

  While I appreciate the comment made by Ms Cox and value her determination and stoicism in the face of overwhelming odds I have to agree with Mr Freudmann. Now is definately not the time to start infighting and getting involved in petty squabbles. Our industry currently faces some of the greatest challenges in the last century and to take backward steps would be suicidal. The whole point to all of the consortia out there is to provide buying power in the face of stiff competition: the smaller the group, the poorer the rate. I wonder how many Advantage agents actually feel they will be getting one (an advantage) in the future if they continue to lose members?

  By Alexander Carraro, Tuesday, September 23, 2008
• Sad little man!
  
  

  From Advantage's point of view it is much better off without Mr Freudmann or Triton, size is not all about the number of outlets it is to do with buying power, which Global/Wordlchoice lag behind. If Advantage members want to use the Global owned Triton product that then is up to them, but as a soon to be former Worldchoice member, I know which consortium I want my business to be a part of.

  By Sarah Cox, Tuesday, September 23, 2008