Get detailed advice from a travel agency and then book your vacation at home on the Internet – the tourism group TUI wants to prevent this practice in the future. In the future, a service fee of up to 39 euros will be due.
The tourism industry is still down – travel warnings and quarantine regulations dominate the picture. In the middle of the crisis, the TUI Group is pushing ahead with a new fee model. Anyone who visits a travel agency of the provider has to be prepared for higher costs. From mid-May, Europe’s largest travel company will charge a “service fee” for advice and extended services.
The compilation of detailed offers, performance comparisons or further information on destinations and entry requirements should then be subject to a charge, as the group announced. According to the company, TUI wants to send a signal that extensive advice has its price. On the other hand, the concept is intended to attract those customers who continue to value personal preparation and security for their trip. A basic tariff for 15 or 29 euros – depending on the total travel price – is planned, for which customers should receive a detailed offer or an “individual travel concept”. At a price of 25 or 39 euros, the company also offers “support with special concerns” or reservations for activities in the hotel. Certain basic information should remain free of charge.
“It’s time”
TUI is evidently aware that the timing for the announcement could be tricky: The introduction of additional fees is not without risk, according to the company. “But the time has come and we have to try it out now.” According to TUI, the price model was discussed internally for a longer period. The fee should also cover the otherwise unpaid effort that arises when some customers obtain extensive information in the branch and then book elsewhere. The DER Touristik travel agency chain also introduced a flat-rate service last November. In the basic version, with a travel price of up to 500 euros, it is 15 euros per booking. With a booking value of more than 500 euros, 30 euros are due. The provider charges up to 49 euros for other services such as seat reservations or booking wellness activities.
You must log in to post a comment.