About You
 Are you a Tourist or a Traveller?
Impossible though it is to generalise... would you fit into one or more of the following categories?
Do you like to
- Go somewhere different each year?
- Be active and see the sights rather than lie around on the beach or next to the pool …. or do both?
- Plan the holiday well in advance?
- Have several short breaks each year plus (or rather than) one long break?
- Avoid package holidays, unless the accommodation is at least of 3 to 4 STAR status?
- Book at the last moment (2 to 3 weeks prior to departure)... but to have planned this late holiday several months ahead? See last minute travel page for full details
- Do your own thing... but you don't object to OTS sorting out flights only or accommodation only on your behalf
On the Other Hand...
- My dislikes are most of the above
Either way OTS welcomes all prospective travellers
Affluent Active Travellers... Sometimes described as far too discerning to become involved in any group travel plan (unless it's skiing or golf, of course)... and, generally, the children might have grown up or could well be turning this years trip in to what they firmly believe is going to be the last holiday with their parents!!!
May not yet have sampled distant shores and cities... nor even thought about cruising with the older generation. Presently unaware of rock climbing or ice skating opportunities available on board ship. However, very much appreciates that long haul destinations, luxury villas and exclusive hotels are all rather splendid suggestions... requiring meticulous and precise planning. Best to talk to those at OTS who have done it, been there and turned down pretty well every opportunity to buy the T shirt!
Unlikely to be looking to 'save' a few pounds sterling by responding to package tour operators own High Street agencies which are seemingly staffed by last years school leavers. Although knowledge of their employers brochure is first rate ….. they may well list Ibiza as the full extent of their travels! In any event most are already aware of Ibiza's limitations which Television programmes regularly update. Nor will these Affluent and Active travellers be in any way influenced by a free insurance policy (they already have an annual arrangement) free car parking at the port or airport or a free bus ticket or discounted round trip rail ticket from home and back.
After all... free is supposed to indicate that a service or facility or product is made available without cost or charge. A more precise description is that free means not charged for to you directly but most definitely hidden elsewhere in your billing!
Freedom of Choice is the travellers most sought after ingredient coupled with an ability to achieve competitively priced travel and accommodation arrangements to a part of the world which appeals, is politically safe and not fraught with all manner of medical problems.
Gratifyingly Gullible... to be easily taken in or tricked... and to be pleased about it too!
We have all been exposed to this form of marketing at one time or another. Buy an expensive freezer, or similar household item, which is discounted by £100 sterling... but then add back five years of a parts and labour form of guarantee at £50 sterling. The switched on housewife achieves the best purchasing discount available but foregoes the pleasure of 5 guaranteed years of bliss on an item of such technological status it will probably last for 20 years without incident.
In the package holiday world there's a tendency at the beginning of this 21st century for some wholesalers to sell mass market holidays direct and at a discount. Perfectly acceptable and totally understandable... if, that is, the holidaymaker is likely to benefit.
Here are the facts:
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Distribution costs continue to exist for the wholesaler... despite the setting up of 'call centres' in areas of the UK where unemployment is high, staff salaries are low and product knowledge minimal
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The product on offer is unlikely to provide for any degree of flexibility. Talking to the unseen advisor about a Tailor Made itinerary is likely to be the fastest way of terminating any discussion!
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Holiday Brochure prices are purposely set at high levels and early bookings attract so called 30% to 40% discounts. Personal insurance is set at 3 or 4 times the actual cost and, although optional nowadays it is still taken by many holidaymakers. The difficulty is that when pressed to buy... most will not take time out to compare the overall cost of such a holiday, including insurance, relative to what the independent agent (OTS) would charge in total for exactly the same product!
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Many last minute bookings sell cheaply. But so they should... no one else within the UK necessarily wanted that particular holiday at the time
In Summary
Holidays represent a significant segment of ones annual budget. Arrangements should be made carefully and, ideally, via your typically mature OTS counsellor. You really don't need to spend a couple of days in resort jumping up and down in rage because promised air conditioning does not exist... even though your bill was 10% lighter thanks to a direct booking procedure. Also... why move accommodation once or twice during your two week break... simply because the original choice was totally unsuited to your needs.
The Questions Arise... Are you a Tourist or a Traveller and are you looking for a cheap holiday OR are you more inclined towards the less expensive arrangement which provides value for money. THERE'S A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE IN BOTH CASES.
Do you seek unbiased opinions covering a wide cross section of holiday providers? Or do you want to be limited in your choice to those own brand firms whose travel agency staff's aim is simply to fill their own aircraft with tourists travelling to their own hotels or promote those companies with whom they have a preferential arrangement!
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