Almost eighteen months ago, chaos reigned in the travel trade. It seemed that the foundations of the industry had been shaken and almost everyone was questioning the very principle that the travel agent’s (read ticketing agent) business is based on. Queries were being raised but no answers were forthcoming. Airlines were playing hardball, alternative revenue streams were being touted as the future, management gurus were springing up everywhere, the travel trade associations were still busy trying to upstage each other in the fight against the airlines… in short, there was turmoil. Funnily, it was this turmoil and uncertainty over the future of business that finally seemed to ignite a spark, bringing all the travel trade associations on a common platform to unitedly fight for a cause for the first time. The result… a few weaker airlines gave in immediately, while the larger ones stood firm, refusing to budge. And so we entered the next phase, threats, counter-threats and finally legal action. |