eTNW reports from the Asata Congress 2012 in Mauritius.
AT A forum of both retail travel agents and wholesalers at the Asata Congress 2012, delegates spoke of the threat of a loss of business to the Internet in the sense that foreign operators, sometimes getting large volumetric discounts due to the huge volume of business they process, are selling online to SA pax and often SA operators simply cannot meet the prices their erstwhile clients are being quoted.
George Argyropoulos, md of Cruises International, said SA agents can counteract. He said in the cruising industry, packaging cruises along with other elements is a good approach that will allow agents to retain a proper margin.
Also, said George, the passengers are then protected by SA consumer law and they are not just dealing with an unknown entity that exists online.
Jo Schütten of Unitravel says, in her business, 38% of travellers need to contact their travel agent after the travel has commenced.
