Adventure World has walked away from its wholesale role with Thai Airways Royal Orchid Holidays (ROH), bringing an end to a long standing relationship between the companies.
The deal, which has seen Adventure World represent ROH in Australia since the late 1990s, will end with immediate effect. The NRMA owned firm is planning to build a Thailand product of its own.
Adventure World general manager Andrew Mulholland said: “Adventure World has recently integrated internal reservations systems to streamline processes and made the decision on developing a Thailand product within their extended Asia product collection.”
ROH said it will retain the brand as a marketing tool and may replace Adventure World “if the opportunity presents itself”.
Sue Marr, Thai Airways marketing manager in Australia, said the airline had ruled out operating the program itself.
“We can handle the simple stuff like stopovers but the airline cannot manage a holiday program,” she told Travel Today.
Thai will direct enquiries to travel partners who already sell the airline including Flight Centre and Infinity, Creative Holidays and Viva.
Adventure World has not produced an Australia specific ROH brochure for a couple of years, Marr said, although a worldwide brochure was available for agents who require one.
Sales of ROH through Adventure World has been “pretty good” in a competitive market, she added.
Thai Airways Australian general manager Viroj Sirihorachai said: “These days there are a range of quality wholesalers working with Thai Airways and Thailand has become a mature, mainstream destination for Australian travellers. ROH will remain an important boutique product offering in Thai’s portfolio.”
