Big Four could still be ‘biggest winners’
The big four will survive despite the rise of online brands. This was the message emerging from the final debate of the TTI Spring Conference on the subject of dynamic packaging. Lowcostbeds chief executive Paul Evans said: “My honest view is that we all have our own areas and with the market continuing to grow and people taking more short breaks there is enough business for everyone.” In the audience was Jeanne Lally from TUI UK. She told the panel: “I applaud what all three of you new kids on the block are doing but at the end of the day the consumer will decide what proposition and brand is most relevant to their mindset and their lifestyle.” “You look at the size of the market and you’d be foolish to write anyone off. What the low cost carriers have done is bring more people into the marketplace.” Holiday Brokers chief executive, Steve Endacott agreed and said the Big Four would be the biggest winners if they could leverage their brand strength while adapting to new consumer buying habits. Both Mr Evans and Mr Endacott said their companies were not chasing high volumes. Holidayandmore.com general manager Vic Darvey said brands like Lastminute were at an advantage because of their “standing start”. “We started with a blank piece of paper. The issue for the Big Four is that it takes them a long time to turn around.” He used the popular analogy of turning around a tanker to say it would take time for company’s like TUI to adapt to developments in technology and the growing use of the internet. Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive