The stark warning came from former TUI UK managing director Chris Mottershead as he addressed the 52nd ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) convention in Marrakech.
He said most high-street agents cannot compete with the sizeable marketing budgets of online companies Expedia and lastminute.com.
Mottershead, now chief executive of specialist operator Travelzest, said agents had to adapt to survive and that the internet should account for 30% of their business. 'Customers expect to be able to deal with agents on the internet, whether to find you in the first place, research offers or make a booking,' he added.
He urged agencies to specialise and provide more tailor-made holidays to differentiate themselves from low-cost travel websites.
_1.jpg)
.jpg)
