Agents furious over Piers Morgan interview
Agents have hit out at Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan for being rude and a ‘disgrace of a journalist’ following an interview with ABTA spokesman Sean Tipton on Wednesday
Morgan, who is now co-presenting the ITV breakfast show with Susanna Reid three days a week, was tackling the issue of price hikes in the school holidays.
Tipton argued that school holidays should be staggered by region to ease the pressure on families, but Morgan was dismissive and accused travel companies of being greedy.
Agents complained the interview painted the industry in a very bad light.
"Once again the Travel Industry gets a massive verbal knock!" said one agent on the Facebook forum Travel Gossip.
Another agent said the interview was ’embarrassing to watch’.
After the interview, an ABTA spokesperson said it was a pity Morgan did not seem prepared to listen to its position.
"The reality is that prices are set by an extremely competitive market, in which the holidays provided by ABTA members consistently demonstrate value for money, versus other channels. We shall continue to make these points," he said.
But many viewers supported Morgan in his tirade against the travel industry.
The interview generated over 200 comments on the Good Morning Britain website, the majority backing Morgan’s point of view.
One viewer, Monique Gemz, said: "As a parent I think it is outrageous that families are being ripped off in school holidays. I think companies should average the fees evenly throughout the year so everyone will pay the same and Piers Morgan needs to start a petition to the government that parents can sign for flexible school holiday dates. United effort is needed."
But a few said they understood the way the market works.
"When did holiday companies become charities?" said Harriet Burt, a parent and an agent.
"We live in a capitalist society, and Thomas cook, Tui and the like ARE out to make as much money as they can, they ARE NOT responsible for ensuring you get a family holiday. And yes, that sucks but that’s life."
Joan Clarke added: "It isn’t actually a ‘massive markup’ it is a massive discount available for people who are travelling/holidaying at ‘off-peak’ times. If they didn’t do that hotels and planes would be empty at off peak times which would then result in holiday prices being more expensive overall. The only way to level things out would be to stagger holiday times."
And Jackie Clouston agreed: "It’s supply and demand. It’s how the economy works. Family holidays aren’t a ‘right’ slapped on you by the Government. They are a luxury and if you can’t afford it, then you don’t go on holiday or you save up and pay for a holiday in the school holidays."
* Did you see the interview on Wednesday? What did you think of it? Please send us your comments by clicking on POST YOUR COMMENT below.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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