Manx Operators Fight S.U.T. Tours
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MANX coach operators are trying to block the operation of coach tours in the Isle of Man by Sheffield United Tours, Ltd., this year, following the success of the company's operation there in 1959. Mr. Ben Goodfellow, general manager of SILT., told The Commercial Motor. on Wednesday that if these holiday tours were discontinued, the company's sales efforts would he directed to the promotion of tours to the Continent and elsewhere.
Encouraged by the success of their Southern Ireland tours, S.U.T. in 1958 approached Douglas Corporation for a license to run tours on the island. Permission was granted, although the corporation were sceptical of the outcome. Yet by the end of January, 1959, 1,400 hotel reservations had been made and two months later all tours for MaySeptember were sold.
On this occasion the Isle of Man Coach Owners' Association were not told by the corporation of the intention to grant a licence to S.U.T., but the association have been informed that a grant for operation in 1960 is being considered. This is likely to be on a bigger scale than in 1959. The association have protested to the corporation against a grant, and S.U.T. are seeking a clarification of their position. .
Manx operators fear that other English companies will follow the lead of S.U.T., but it has been suggested that there is an opportunity for them to negotiate with some ma-inland concerns to deal with the island section of such tours.
Mr. Goodfellow points out that local operators, far from being hit, benefit from an influx of tourists. Eireann coach owners had gained advantages from the tours run by British undertakings.
S.U.T., he added, had believed that a licence once granted would be continued, and bookings had started for 1960. No business was taken from Manx operators: the company's passengers were Sheffield people. If the association were successful in banning English coaches, the island would lose many tourists.