IT HAD TO HAPPEN David Clarke M.D. of Webjet.com.au has changed "FOREVER" the way travel will be sold in Australia.
For the first time a Major Travel Agency has published "nett fares" available to the public in a series newspapers and on their public website webjet.com.au
Yesterday in the Melbourne Age and today in the Sydney Morning Herald Webjet advertised "nett fares" to the following destinations.
Singapore $572
Los Angeles $1113
Hong Kong $866
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London $1238
Vancouver $1010
Europe $1238
| These are just a few of the hot Airfare Cost Price offers Webjet currently has going. To arrive at the total ticket price, simply add the % fulfilment fee* according to which of the four booking options you use.
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EDITORIAL COMMENT - from John Harrigan Editor e-travelblackboard. David Clarke has certainly "put the cat amongst the pigeons".
Travel in Australia will never be the same again, Webjet is not the first travel company to sell "Nett fares" plus a markup, as it is currently common place with many corporate travel agencies. Many corporate clients are demanding nett - nett fares and are then prepared to pay a service fee. However Webjet publishing nett fares in the newspaper and on their web site will certainly cause "the travel groups" to examine their own marketing strategy.
Ê The airlines no doubt will be watching - moves by all parties, with interest. It is common knowledge that major airlines operating into and out of Australia have been considering for sometime, when they will introduce published fares with no markup for travel agencies.
"It's funny how the world turns". Approximately 17 years ago I had the "HIDE" to published "Nett fares", which were distributed only to travel agents via the Agents Support Manual. Most consolidators agreed with this concept and readily agreed to supply me with their "Nett fares" for publication - Consolidated - Metro - Concorde etc. However, Jetset (David Clarke's previous company) immediately took out legal action to restrain my publication.
It is now history over 1000 travel agents in New South Wales and Victoria used Agents Support Manual as their "Travel Bible". Jetset stopped all action, but officially would not supply their nett fares?? Soon afterwards, Jetset's nett fares would be delivered "in a brown paper bag" by a courier.
Back to Webjet you might like to visit webjet.com.au , be sure to click on INVESTOR RELATIONS then go to MEDIA RELEASES - "February Share Holders Meeting" - it makes interesting reading.
"If I was a betting man", I would predict that webjet.com.au share price will go up. However travel.com.au and travelshop.com.au might go down.
If you would like to send me an email --- comment@easi.com.au.
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