Independent agent joins AITO to compete with the big boys
Family-run CBT Travel has become the latest company to become an AITO Specialist Travel Agent.
The independent said it decided to join because it is becoming harder and harder to compete with the online and direct prices of the big tour operators.
Based in Rossendale in Lancashire and founded in 1990, CBT Travel offers a range of holidays, from UK short breaks through to tailor-made worldwide itineraries.
"By joining AITO it gives us much more scope for using smaller, independent operators which we know will be working with us and not against us," said Lisa Mousley.
"It is quite obvious that the likes of Thomson, Thomas Cook, P&O and Princess Cruises do not feel they need travel agents due to cutting commission and offering packages cheaper online, with which we cannot compete.
"So I feel it is time we independent travel agents stuck together, stopped selling the big boys altogether and started supporting the independent operators that want to work with us, value our support and in return offer us decent commissions, fam trips and support with promotional events. This is why we joined AITO and hope that it will open many more doors for us."
By Bev Fearis
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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