By Roy Weavers

Venture Holidays has vowed to let other wholesalers “slug it out” for internet sales, claiming it is more than happy driving the majority of its sales over the telephone. 

Managing director Robert Mackay said the wholesaler had carved out a reputation as a niche specialist, with agents building a rapport with Venture consultants over the telephone.

“We’ll let other people slog it out for an internet presence,” Mackay said, adding that it differentiates the wholesaler from some of the larger players like Qantas Holidays and Creative Holidays. 

The value of bookings over the phone also tends to be higher, he added.  Meanwhile, Mackay said the outlook remained cautious, despite sales approaching 2008 levels.

“Yields are coming back. We are seeing a return of passenger numbers but yields are still below 2008,” he said. He said at the height of the downturn the wholesaler was loading product up to 12 times, instead once or twice. “There are not as many specials being dropped into the market now,”

Mackay added. Venture Holidays f lagged its intention to ramp up its sales in the eastern states last year after it took full control of the brand. Under the previous ownership structure, Flight Centre held the rights to the brand name in all states except the Northern Territory and South Australia.

Editors Comments: I can't the vision of an ostrich with its head buried in the sand out of my mind, I can't think why ?