The UK’s leading corporate travel bodies plan an industry-wide taskforce to investigate and report on remuneration for the trade.
The Guild of Travel Management Companies and Institute of Travel Management unveiled the plan today and called on members to take part in examining price transparency and the relations between buyers and suppliers.
The taskforce will look at the range of remuneration options and models, including payment by the hour and savings-related rewards. Travel management companies typically charge management fees following a wholesale move away from commission payments several years ago.
The alliance is significant as guild members account for 80% of sales in the business travel sector and the ITM represents corporate travel managers and suppliers.
GTMC chief executive Philip Carlisle said: “We are seeking volunteers from the corporate buying field. We want them to work with us using their data and experience to run through alternative options and payment models and help assess the results.”
ITM executive director Paul Tilstone said: “ITM and GTMC feel it is important to act on the issues rather than pontificate. We hope the results will throw up some real alternatives.”
The taskforce is expected to report within a year, with the findings due to be presented next May.