The distribution is asking questions about the future of its products
There are still 18 months, the “tailor-made” was in the mouth of all the actors of the trip. He represented the future of the profession and of intermediation. Then in March 2020, all certainties and the travel sector collapsed, in France but also and above all at destination. For more than a year now, players have been fighting to contact a receptive, a service provider, a regional airline. Millions of euros are immobilized, or even definitively lost, a few months from the “big refund”, which acts as a lifeline for a sector that looks like an anchor capable of sinking part of the industry. . So, tomorrow the end of made-to-measure via live DMCs?
Between receptions that get in the way of money, providers cut and airlines canceling without explanation, is this the end of a special trip? – Photo credit: Depositphotos
To understand today’s world and all its problems, sometimes you have to look in the mirror. & # xD;
At the beginning of June 2014, your favorite newspaper was entitled “The future of intermediation requires specially designed products”.
A few years later, Jean Eustache, director of Penggunaanigo classified this new way of organizing travel not as a fashion, but as a fundamental movement in evolution”. & # xD;
Then in a complete extension, specially designed to conquer travel agencies. Tour operators take on more flexibility in production, agencies engage directly with the receptionist, and start-ups thrive on circumstances until unreasonable and/or indifferent. & # xD;
Then in March 2020, the border was closed due to the coronavirus. El Dorado of the purpose-built trip became the Cross Station.
“It’s a hot topic. I have a file on Israel, where I live with the receptionist, unless I have a problem, because my money is blocked there. It’s not the only example,” claimed Christine Fumeau, boss of the EvaZion agency. & # xD;
The leaders of Tarn-et-Garonne are indeed far from being an isolated case.
Millions scattered around the world…
Enough for exchanges and travel agencies to understand that part of the French distribution is ultimately done by money that is blocked in the four corners of the world. & # xD;
“I have a lot of cases, that’s a fact, especially the amount of money that is deposited by a particular order. & # XD;
As long as they are subject to suspension, more for cancellation is not”, testified Emmanuelle Llop, founder of the firm Equinoxe Avocats. & # XD;
As they are subject to suspension, these cancellations were not,
And sometimes, instead of refunding the money, they use the deposit as a cancellation fee. It is also a means of ensuring survival, while some authors on purpose do not necessarily benefit from state aid to deal with the crisis.
For some, the amount represents several tens of thousands of euros, for others the amount is much larger. And after 14 months of crisis and halt in sales, the blow is hard to bear. & # xD;
“We are not like the others. We have a lot of payments that are made to our suppliers, it is equivalent to 20% of our customers’ deposit, which is several million euros. & # XD;
We know that we will never see part of this amount again”, deplores François Piot, CEO of Prét-à-Partir who estimates that “the angels are divided” up to 15% of the total.
We know that we will not see part of this amount again,
At TourCom, the situation will be more relaxed, thanks to important fundamentals put in place well before the pandemic. & # xD;
“We have set up TourCom Receptive, which lists 90 structures around the world. In general, we have very few disputes, apart from a few problems in the United States”, explains Richard Vainopoulos, president of the network. & # xD;
Travel Companies are looking for the parade
The inauguration means all the same with the rest of the testimony. & # xD;
If the recipes have been chosen, they are not the only ones that will spread fear, because the airline will also be counted clearly.
Like Frédéric d’Hauthuille, founder of the Authentic World agency. & # xD;
“I mainly received money with the airline, more than 100,000 euros. & # XD;
I only work directly, with recipes that I never know, so I fix the money by providing them with the balance on the next lift. “& # XD;
I only work directly, with receipts that I never know, so I fix the money by providing a balance at the next departure.
Despite the variety and preference of Western colleagues, receivers sometimes play a little on ignorance of local rules, or tend to scratch a little. & # xD;
So tourism players in Portugal are totally blocking EvaZion’s money until January 2022, “based on the law, which I’ve never heard of. & # XD;
In September, I had to pay my client’s fees without having any money. We ask ourselves, how can we work alone, later? “Depadores Christine Fumeau. & # XD;
In September, I had to pay my client’s fees without having any money. We wonder, how are we going to work alone, later?
They are not the only ones. Tour operators don’t all play and don’t want to spend money a year in advance. & # XD;
To avoid systemic failure of agencies that cannot afford travel costs, some of the money is overseas after the 18-month crisis, travel agencies are now looking into the matter.
Does the year 2021 sound like the comeback of classic TOs?
“This is a question that concerns us. We are going to see the politicians that we are going to fulfill our obligations, but this part of this money is not in our hands”, told us Valérie Boned, secretary general. Journey. & # xD;
First of all, the Syndicate tries to measure the extent of the disaster, before submitting the question to the government, in order to find a way out. However, help is expected. & # xD;
Especially since September is not one of the most pleasant to announce. Between large asset payouts and slow-looking businesses, the cash register will be reduced to empty. & # xD;
“If we’re not in this story, we’re small managers, then it’s because we’re pretty good,” said cowardly Satisfied, director of EvaZion agency.
Payments have dropped significantly on some networks. & # xD;
All delays between the beginning of autumn and the April 2021 holiday are now canceled and distributors are obliged to refund. The month of September promises to be chaotic, with the future being blocked as such.
Especially since there is no real legal solution to produce the blocked amount. & # xD;
“The contentious solution does not settle things. When the reception is based abroad, given a deadline for action and in particular how to recover this amount, I recommend a way of consultation, ”recalls Emmanuelle Llop. & # xD;
In this situation, the specially designed over-the-counter product is no longer a magic margin generator for travel agencies, it has even become a source of anxiety. & # xD;
In times of crisis, when new cases are rare, it is better to ensure that some money comes in and ensures the sale. & # xD;
“We officially prohibit working with recipes that are not referenced in the network. Personalization at the other end is not the only problem, dynamic packages, even in Europe, are a problem”, analyzes Yvon Peltanche, general manager of Eden Tourisme. & # XD;
Is this really the end of made-to-measure?
Indeed, by organizing stays even for weekends, when the airline canceled without explanation, Gimna thought that it was not worth the candle, especially since the agency was responsible for it. & # xD;
In the east of France, the solution has been found: production on land is underway.
“We are going to put the brakes very clearly! Be the travel committee afterwards, it’s horrible. We voluntarily put a personal trip to put, to improve the offer of tour operators”, confides François Piot. & # xD;
A finding common to many players. The goal is to ensure that he leaves and stays, even if his experience is less good, while waiting for a better day.
“Now I sell easy trips, through big tour operators. & # XD;
I’m honest with the customers who are going to leave, I say that they are not difficult because this time the trip will be cleaner again, but next time it will be better,” the manager openly admitted to ‘EvaZion Agency. & # XD;
I’m honest with customers who are going to leave, I say they shouldn’t be picky right now, the trip will be a little longer, but next time is better,
In 14 months, tourism will go back several decades. Thus, special tailors are reserved for the benefit of classic tour operators and village clubs. & # xD;
Mainly intentionally, the service does not always meet or does not really meet customer expectations.
“I was less worried about the financial flow than the recovery. In January and February, I myself put customers away, it was the first for nine months”, explains Frédéric d’Hauthuille. & # XD;
Service providers should be pressured to seek advice, to be less specific and of lower quality. At other times, the car, not being driven for several months, was repeatedly damaged. & # xD;
Then there are the boat engines, which no longer work … on the contrary! & # xD;
“I saw the green and the ripe,” he continued with half a fig and half a wine. & # xD;
For the founder of the Authentic World agency, the restoration must be progressive, otherwise we end a disappointing experience, or even no product that can be offered.
Part of the workforce, as in France, has decided to leave the chaotic world of tourism to move towards a more buoyant or down-to-earth sector. & # xD;
With a scalded distribution, the production without products and without companies is then not legal, without forgetting the reception, how can an agency work tomorrow?
His questions were quickly answered, as the bad buzz YouTubers put it so well. & # xD;
“Why does our future sell hotel-clubs? I’m not sure”, convinces Yvon Peltanche. & # XD;
Time will tell if the movement is not basically just a wave, but like two years ago, customers dictate the fashions. And if in the morning he wants to do a special, he has to provide it, one way or another. & # xD;
“If we don’t provide them, we’ll miss the sale. XD; I don’t know where we will be, but I always do what I love as much as possible because they sell ready-made products, which gets me drunk,” he said.
I have no idea where we are going, but I continue to do what I love as much as possible, because selling ready-made products gets me drunk,
Tomorrow, only the fans will remain, but also those who will experience it sufficiently solid, in such a destination in France.
1. Posted by
Rock
was 04/16/2021 09:08
That’s why it won’t come back in 2021. Too random to sell exotic and dangerous trips too. The second black year.
2. Posted by
Francois Piot
was 04/16/2021 09:56
Thank you Roman for this post. I would like to point out that if we delay a trip on a particular basis, it is because we are afraid of finding ourselves in a situation where we commit to the provider on site and the airline to cancel their flight. In addition, we asked our reception staff to accept payment on the day of departure or even on return – except in exceptional cases – and this was accepted with understanding by most. And we promise to pay the cancellation fees if any, in return, even if we don’t pay the deposit to the receptionist.
3. Posted by
Sobeira
was 04/16/2021 at 10:42
Agree with Christine, it’s fun to build a journey that feels like an audience…in my opinion, a journey is made specifically, more than ever, for the days to come…it would be a shame to let consumers leave and look elsewhere… Is it possible to make a special “co-production” for a French company? Happy co-production! The agency continues to promote love, while being guarded by a European management… The team wins.
4. Posted by
William Linton