Hope to book next holiday without tour operator, how easy?

Hi everyone
Our recent holiday was booked through a local tour operator, quite afew mistakes were made, eg, misinformed about prices, wrong name on air ticket, two people missed off hire gear list, etc.

What I would like to do is to arrange everything over the internet and phone, where do I start?, our last party consisted of 18 people, adults and children, we would prefer to stay for ten days does that cause overlaping probs with accomodation? we know our destination, which would be Ellmau, we do have a village accomodation brochure, how would I arrange transfer to resort? when is the best time to sort flights etc and who with? is it a good idea to use the Ellmau tourist info? lastly can money be saved by cutting out the operator?

A lot to think about, or would it be simpler using the tour op, I do like a challenge though, any advice would really be appreciated.
John

You are rather brave for contemplating taking on the organising and booking for your party. It can be done, not sure if you will save any money over the T.O. offering though.
With your last trip, the things that went wrong landed on the T.O's doormat, if you are the organiser, it will be you that gets the flak. I hope you have lots of patience.

I would suggest that the 1st task is getting the accommodation for your large group, definitely involve the Tourist Office with this.

2nd task is to get the flights sorted, followed by organising a bus transfer for the group, I would suggest that the Tourist Office would be a good source for a bus and driver.

If you are a good organiser, and determined to get the money owed to you paid in on time, it could be fun. Remember though, that you will be taking the place of the Tour Operator, only you won't be ABTA/ATOL bonded!!

Hi Johntin,

Bandit is right, accomodation is the big issue.

However, I would first carry out some quick research on the main transport aspect ~ do you have a low cost way of getting to Innsbruck, Salzburg or Munich, with acceptable flight times. (Times may change however)

Then I would go through the group, and list requirements.
Do you need close access to the ski school location.
Will you require ski hire.
Do a significant number of your party require access to night life.
Can your party all use a T bar ~ this opens up edge of village locations which tend to be quieter and lower cost, and often more interesting.

Having defined your needs and boundaries, this will assist you in checking the suitability of a location.

Then, as Bandit suggests, contact the tourist office, ask them for suggestions and ask them also to mail an accomodation brochure. This should organised in such a way that you can relate property locations to your check list locations.

When looking for accomodation, be aware that properties that can accomodate 30-ish people are often already tied in with a travel operator. So perhaps consider two or three properties in the same area.

Availability of accomodation is strongly affected by the time of the season that you wish to go. This also affects other things like travel costs.

If I was doing what you are considering, I would take a short summer holiday in June, when the summer walking is fabulous. Let the tourist office know in advance, and you can fit in some great alpine walking, with several visits to prospective guest houses, chalets, hotels. You can also talk to the lift company, and discuss lift pass discounts, on the basis that you are undecided if you will go to the ski-welt. It helps a lot if you can set up personal contact.

The transit is the easieast because there are so many options.

Finally, look carefully at Bandit's second main point, what can go wrong? On another thread we have a lady who has a dilema of injury, and her insurance will not cover her. In Austria there are rules set down about what happens in the event of cancellation. You may be charged where the accomodator has incurred costs, but not for things like loss of profit. These are clearly laid out, and the tourist bureau should be able to give you a copy of the rules. If you bok Easyjet/Ryanair type flights these are non-refundable. You cannot cancel. Having recognised the risk areas, you have to set up an understanding with your clients.

Good luck

Best bet is book through a tour operator but get a cheap deal. I have booked my last holidays through bookableski.co.uk and skideal.co.uk and whilst both were eventually through operators like Neilson and Airtours, both were ridiculous cheap prices that my mate could not touch by doing it himself DIY, flights, transfers, accommodation.

The best other alternative is to book accommodation only and drive, provided there is enough of you in the car to cover petrol costs between you.

Hi guys
Ellmau is a place I have skied with family and friends about fourteen times, so I am quite familiar with the resort setup and vast amount of places to stay which are not always mentioned in the usual ski brochure. Did find in resort tourist info, that a taxi service would do a return journey Salzburg/ Ellmau for about £200 for eight people, fair I think.

If problems do occure ie injury insurance problems etc there is no point of contact with the trusty rep, this could be a major concern.

Regards ABTA/ATOL bonding is that for cover of monies if a operator goes bust? would it apply to us? forgive ignorance!

Thanks for comments and advice, may give this Idea a miss, too many potential problems for a large group.

May look at the sites mentioned.

Thanks again
John

johntin wrote: If problems do occure ie injury insurance problems etc there is no point of contact with the trusty rep, this could be a major concern.

Regards ABTA/ATOL bonding is that for cover of monies if a operator goes bust? would it apply to us? forgive ignorance!

try http://www.tiscover.at when I lived in Germany we used to use them all the time for weekends etc, I know they do insurance, not sure what it covers but it may be what you're looking for. They probably have a deal with the hotels you know as well.

I know from friends that came from the UK they used to ask the hotels about transfers, some can even do it themselves mostly someone in their extended family turned out to be running a taxi business :D

Hi,

For accommodation try www.ownersdirect.co.uk. I advertise my property in France there but there are self-catering apartments all over the world (including ski apartments in Austria!).
You then organise transport and you're away, cutting out the travel agent.

p.s. my place is ref.FR1457

Hi
A little more promising this time.

Ise, the tiscover link looks good may be a starting point.

Paul, had a look at your link but only one small apartment in Ellmau.

I must get family and mates together and discuss all the pros and cons.

One of our party, just to mix things up, has seen a very good deal in Andorra? five star etc,total change to Austria, Andorra any good?

Again many thanks for feedback

john