OPERATORS will have to pay £10,000 each year to sign up to FSS’s new distribution system that will enable agents and customers to book package holidays on-line.
Under a plan drawn up by the system supplier, they will also be charged £3 per booking.
Operators specialising in tailor-made holidays will face an additional fee because of the complex nature of the product.
Speaking at the Association of Independent Tour Operators general meeting, FSS marketing director Ian Champness said the cost would not deteroperators.
“It would cost a great deal more for an operator to set up an independent on-line booking facility than it costs to join our Leisure Distribution System,” said Champness.
He claimed it will be the first time package operators will sell their products on-line when the system goes live in April with around 10 operators.
“Within three months I expect to be up to 25,” he added.