Kimpton Hotels is seeking to improve its service to agents by setting up a central commission payment system.
Director of international sales Cindy Brewster said the new system, which is in development, comes in response to requests from the agency community.
“Having a central system means agents will be paid in their own currency rather than dollars. This will be more convenient for them and save time,” she said.
The US-based hotel group will continue to pay commission no more than 72 hours after the guest has left the hotel, she added.
Kimpton plans to launch its sub-brand Palomar Hotels in Chicago, Atlanta and Philidelphia this year. Another new property in New York is due to open this summer and the Epic in Miami opened recently.
Brewster said the group has set its sights on London for its first property outside the United States and Canada.
She said: “It makes perfect sense for the UK to be a destination for us as our hotels are well suited for the UK market. London is always on our radar. Our development has not slowed because of the recession, we had planned very carefully for the future.”
However, the hotels have not escaped the global slowdown in demand for hotel rooms. “There has been a slippage in demand in the corporate market. People are still travelling but not as frequently and not for as long. Groups are still looking healthy, we are benefitting from the pound’s drop off in value against the euro,” added Brewster.