Value for money?
Page 35
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T write concerning the leaflet 1promoti October's Road Haulage A ociation conference in Cyprus which was circulated last week in Roadway.
The prices being charged for the week appeared to be exorbitant—£675 for a vehicle-operating member and £795 for an allied industry member (AIM).
The difference arose about five years go when Iveco Ford was t e sponsor— before that everyone paid the same So I call at a travel agent and the f' t two brochures for holiday in Cyprus I looked at gave charges for the same hotel, on the same bed and breakfast basis on the same dates. First Choice holidays quotes £485 per person and Cypron Holidays quotes £455.
Many RHA members make the conference their annual holiday and take small children with them. Again, the rates quoted by RHA for children are considerably higher than the brochure prices.
For a couple and one child, the RHA would want £1,760 from a vehicle-operating member and £2,120 from an allied member whereas First Choice would charge £1,109.
While the RHA package includes arrival and departure drinks they are usually provided by one of the cosponsors. The only other item is the Chairman's gala dinner which I would not expect to cost more than £25 a head.
It cannot be said the RHA charge is high to cover the cost of conference facilities because the members are charged an extra £60 each Incidentally, the £475 quoted by RHA Lir accommodation and business sessions only does not include flights.
When the RHA decided to hold its conference abroad it used to use sponsors to defray the cost of those attending.
These include not only the main sponsor, Leyland Daf, but several other industry manufacturers and service providers.
But now it appears the RHA not only takes all the sponsors' money but makes a whacking great profit out of the high charges made to its members.
The conference leaflet refers to the event as "a great value package". Some might consider it a rip-off.
Name and address withheld.