TrekAmerica First in The Adventure Travel Sector to Launch 03 Phone Number to its Customers
London, 18th November –TrekAmerica, a national tour operator that specialises in small group adventures for 18-38’s to the Americas, is the first adventure tour operator to announce the launch of a new 03 phone number, in an attempt to reduce call costs for customers and encourage the industry to follow suit.
Available from today, TrekAmerica has introduced the new 03 number following a watchdog report released in October this year, which revealed how travel companies use high rate 08 phone numbers for customer services. The Which? Report revealed that 70% of travel firms were using high rate numbers, leaving genuine cause for concern amongst consumers.
High rate numbers, including 0843, 0844, 0845 and 0871, can be expensive to the customer, costing up to 10p per minute to call from a landline and up to 40p per minute to call from a mobile phone. Some tour operators offer their customers 0800 numbers, which are free to call from landlines. However, even these still incur charges when dialled from a mobile. Just 10 minutes on a mobile phone to a 08 number could cost the caller up to £4.00. Add to that the fact that most 08 numbers are not included as standard in inclusive call packages from landlines or mobiles, the price of a call to book, enquire or complain about a holiday can really start to add up.
In comparison, 03 numbers are charged at the same basic rate as 01 and 02 numbers and must be included in inclusive call packages for both landline and mobile phone contracts, removing the burden of call charges to high rate numbers and keeping costs down for customers.
Richard Hanson, MD of TrekAmerica, said: “These recent findings have led us to take the decision to offer an 03 number to our customers, to ensure they are not suffering costly phone bills when arranging their trips with TrekAmerica. Many of our customers are under the age of 30 and, we anticipate, most likely to be calling us from a mobile device. We don’t want them to be penalised for this. Booking an adventure tour should be an exciting experience and we want to ensure our customers feel that from start to finish.”
Ofcom’s 2013 UK Communications report reveals that 94% of UK adults own and use a mobile phone. In addition to that, landline usage is dwindling and 15% of residents in the UK live in a mobile-only household. The introduction of smartphones has fuelled the uptake of mobile usage in the UK and eMarketer’s recent report suggested that younger adults were the strongest adopters of smartphone technology with 84% of 18-24 year olds owning a smartphone in 2013. That figure is only expected to increase and is estimated to reach 98% by 2017.
In addition to this, the Money Advice Trust issued a report last week stating that debt caused by mobile phone usage is on the rise and has increased from 4% in 2007 (when the iPhone was first launched) to 11% in 2013. Excessive monthly tariffs, which can cost up to £57 per month, along with the extra expense of calls and data, have been blamed for the rise. High rate numbers that are not included within monthly contract costs only add fuel to the fire and cause callers to add hefty sums to their ever-growing phone bills.
Richard Hanson concludes: “The recent reports are very worrying and the problem is wide reaching. We support the call for a new EU law to enforce that helplines should only be charged at no more than a basic rate and hope that our decision to move away from high rate numbers will encourage other operators in the sector to do the same.”
In addition to the introduction of an 03 number at TrekAmerica, its sister company, Grand American Adventures, has also introduced an 03 number, ensuring customers across both brands no longer have to worry about call charges when booking their next trip to the Americas.
For more information, please see www.trekamerica.com or www.grandamericanadventures.com or call:
0333 999 7951 - TrekAmerica
0333 999 7961 – Grand American Adventures
NOTE TO EDITORS:
High res images available on request.
Rich Hanson is also available for interview to discuss in more detail.
For any questions or requests, please contact:
Michelle Smithson
01482 227227
Hannah Thomson
Hannah@fredquarters.com
Sources:
http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2009/09/what-are-03-numbers/
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cut-cost-0800-mobiles
http://news.sky.com/story/1152507/high-rate-travel-firm-numbers-are-a-disgrace
http://media.ofcom.org.uk/facts/
http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Nearly-Half-of-UK-Consumers-Will-Use-Smartphones-This-Year/1009956
Michelle Smithson
Senior Account Manager
Fredquarters | Lock Keepers Cottage
42 Wellington Street | Hull Marina | HU1 1UH
Office: 01482 227227
Mobile: 07554 013334
michelle@fredquarters.co.uk
www.fredquarters.co.uk
Follow us on twitter.com/FredMarketing
About TrekAmerica
-Regarded as the North American specialists, TrekAmerica has been the leader in small group adventure tours to North America since 1972
-TrekAmerica tours have been specifically created for young, international travellers aged between 18-38 with year round departures and a choice of over 50 unique itineraries from 3 to 80 days in length, covering the United States, Canada, Alaska and Central America
About Grand American Adventures
-Small group tour operator Grand American Adventures offers a wider selection of tours and more varied styles of travel than any other North American tour operator
-The operator offers over 60 itineraries that take in North, Central and South America
-Committed to offering the finest small group adventures, all Grand American Adventures holidays are generally for groups up to a maximum of 13 people
-Grand American Adventures offers several types of tour including; Active, Walking, Wildlife, Cruises and Family Discovery, aimed at people of all ages
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