Car hire booking platform Car Trawler is setting its sights on agents this year and says it sees them as its “premium distribution channel”.
The company, which started up two years ago, is in the process of setting up deals with a number of “medium-sized” online and high street agents.
They will have access to its system which has products from around 450 companies .
Car Trawler chief technical officer Bobby Healy said: “The agent is the most effective market for car hire with customers – they know the business. We see our premium channel as agents.”
Founder Greg Turley also explained that for agents using the distribution system, Car Trawler offers inclusive pricing and commission is paid to the agent at the time of booking, even though the customer will not pay the full balance until they pick up the car.
“The real revenue for agents is in hotel, insurance and car hire so they can up sell. It is a high margin product,” he explained.