The current downward spiral in travel agency commission from an increasing number of scheduled carriers shows quite clearly that the airline industry is intent on eliminating all but the largest agents from the distribution chain.
The trend towards management fees is fine for the large corporate but of little use to the individualtraveller or companies with less travel spend.
Transaction fees are okay but how many customers are going to be happy paying more for an air ticket through a travel agent than buying direct from theairline? The end result will be the demise of many independent travel agents. The consumer will be forced to buy from the faceless multiple or direct from the carrier. I have nothing but contempt for thecommission-cutting carriers and their reason of remaining competitive. This is rubbish, the motive is profit and to hell with agents or consumer choice.
More galling are their expectations we will support them – protestations about selling at 7% beingunprofitable are met with complete indifference.
Well guys, you can stuff it – from now on we only sell at 7% as a very last resort. Carriers offering 9% or net fares will benefit, commission cutters will lose out. I urge all independents to follow suit and shaft thecorporate greed which we all now face.
Chris Morris, managing director, Wayte Bros Ltd, Stoke on Trent