Lynneski
02-20-01, 12:04 PM
Something Blake said made me want to veer off on a slight tangent. What opinion on the best way to administer travel monies?
We traditionally make artists' travel bookings directly with our travel agent, pay the agent, and send the tickets on to the artist. We always thought that 1) we would get better rates from the agent by buying more travel services, and 2) we were taking the hassle of bookings off the artist.
But in the past few years, particularly with UK, AUS and NZ artists, we're finding that folks are more likely to come for a large part or all of a season.
Is it better for producers to handle the arangements, and work out whatever cost-splitting deal amongst ourselves? Or would it be preferable to commit to a certain dollar level of travel funds and put that in the artists hands to make their own arrangements??
In the former case, it's sometimes very late in the season once all dates on the tour are confirmed, and so we all end up paying more for flights. But we have the information in hand as to exactly when and where you arrive and depart.
In the latter case, you might come out a few dollars ahead by collecting estimate monies from each, but you won't have access to bulk buying or sponsored deals, and have to be very dilligent about communicating ETAs to each stop on the tour.
Gang?
Lynne
We traditionally make artists' travel bookings directly with our travel agent, pay the agent, and send the tickets on to the artist. We always thought that 1) we would get better rates from the agent by buying more travel services, and 2) we were taking the hassle of bookings off the artist.
But in the past few years, particularly with UK, AUS and NZ artists, we're finding that folks are more likely to come for a large part or all of a season.
Is it better for producers to handle the arangements, and work out whatever cost-splitting deal amongst ourselves? Or would it be preferable to commit to a certain dollar level of travel funds and put that in the artists hands to make their own arrangements??
In the former case, it's sometimes very late in the season once all dates on the tour are confirmed, and so we all end up paying more for flights. But we have the information in hand as to exactly when and where you arrive and depart.
In the latter case, you might come out a few dollars ahead by collecting estimate monies from each, but you won't have access to bulk buying or sponsored deals, and have to be very dilligent about communicating ETAs to each stop on the tour.
Gang?
Lynne