The supplier perspective

THE Travel Corporation

is very transparent

when highlighting

definite departures on

all online booking sites

across all brands, says

head of sales, Kelly

Jackson.

“Our reservations

team makes it known

to agents at the time

of booking, whether a

departure is definite

or not, and they

follow up with agents

if a departure is not

confirmed.”

By having this

information upfront,

agents can then decide

if they wish to take the

risk or offer their client

an alternative departure

date, suggests Kelly.

“If an agent books a

non-definite departure

and it is cancelled,

we’ll provide alternative

definite departure

dates or a full refund.

If the client chooses

an alternative date,

all the valid discounts

will apply, provided the

original booking was

paid in full.”

Kelly says a nondefinite departure

should not discourage

agents from booking.

“The more paid guests

we receive, the odds

of a trip operating as

a definite departure

increase.”

She recommends

that agents wishing

to book a non-definite

departure should look

at more flexible air

ticket options that allow

for changes, or hold off

on flight bookings until

the departure becomes

definite.

“I do want to point

out that our Busabout

brand never cancels

a departure,” says

Kelly.