Travelmole Comment: John McEwan on the future of consortia
The arrival of the New Year inevitably leads most people to re-evaluate where their lives and careers are going.
For independent travel agency owners the question is especially relevant – whichever consortium they happen to be a member of.
Economic uncertainty and a squeeze on consumer spending seem likely. And while we in the industry love to insist that the British see their holidays as essentials, past experience shows that’s not always the case.
Given that agents can’t influence the external factors, getting the most out of their consortium is essential.
Independents can certainly be forgiven if they have failed to keep up with the assorted changes within the main independent agency groups in recent months. The truth is, for the majority, making a decent living is more important than merger talks and the machinations of senior industry figures.
But how do you decide what’s for you? Firstly, are you getting the very best commercial terms?
Consolidation in the industry is all very well, but not when it changes the ownership structure of the groups involved. Say, for example, operator X agrees to pay 15%. Do you get all of that, or does a small bit go to satisfy the interests of shareholders?
Independence remains an issue. A real members organisation is run for the benefit of its members. If you don’t like the path that’s being taken, can you get voted onto the board and change things?
Agents also have to be sure they have the best support – whether it is in terms of technology, payment systems, point-of-sale and marketing.
Your consortium has to give you the opportunity to participate, while at the same time giving you the freedom to develop the personality of your business.
It is in everyone’s interest that the ownership and merger issues surrounding the independent sector are sorted out. Perhaps then retailers can have a New Year’s resolution that’s about piling on the pounds.
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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