Tour operators face OFT inquiry

CLAIMS that consumers are being denied a fair choice of package holidays by high street travel agencies are to be investigated by the Office of Fair Trading, it was announced last night, writes Frank Barrett.

With the four major high street chains now commercially linked to the three biggest tour operators, there has been increasing evidence that holiday companies are using their agencies to promote their products at the competition's expense.

The Thomson Travel group owns Lunn Poly; Owners Abroad has recently linked up with Thomas Cook; and Airtours acquired Pickfords last year and Hogg Robinson last month.

Smaller operators have found it increasingly hard to get big chains to display their brochures, and they face paying higher commission.