Travel agents plaster hoardings against Singapore Airlines's zero-commission policy to shame them
Travel agents plaster hoardings against Singapore Airlines's zero-commission policy to shame them
Singapore Airlines is the latest poster boy in town. But this is one time they can do without publicity. In a
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war of words: The hoarding at Hughes Road. pic/BIPIN KOKATE |
desperate measure to make Singapore Airlines withdraw their zero commission model on ticket bookings, the travel fraternity has plastered hoardings panning them at strategic spots in south Mumbai and Andheri.
Though the first hoarding was put up in January, it is only in the last week that the disgruntled travel agents have stepped up their campaign. Six travel organisations have pooled money to rent the hoardings at prime locations like Hughes Road, Kemps Corner and Opera House.
Strategic locationThe Hughes Road banner that tells Singapore Airlines to 'Quit India' is ironically located next to the Singapore Tourism office.
When asked if the positioning was deliberate, Ajay Prakash, general secretary of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), admitted, "Let's just say it is strategic. We hope to shame them into paying us commission."
C W Foo, general manager, Singapore Airlines, India, evaded direct questions on the impact of the hoardings, saying, "There are travel agents who are selling our tickets on a zero-commission basis. There are 14 other carriers that have implemented the zero commission policy, but the associations have targeted us."
Prakash responded, "They claim their doors are open, but they are unwilling to compromise. So, what are we to do?"
