Thomson set to ditch scheme’s poor performers

Report by Tanya Jefferies

THOMSON is expected to axe 10% of members from its Preferred Agent scheme for not hitting their targets, as predicted by Travel Weekly earlier this year (Travel Weekly July 24).

Those dropped from the scheme will lose enhanced commission arrangements and benefits such as marketing support.

At the time, sales director Manuel Mascarenhas said: “Some participants have not delivered. A year ago, we altered the scheme after agents told us they did not have the tools to make it work.

“We gave them the tools and you would expect them to deliver. They haven’t.”

Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association president Val Foylan was critical of Thomson’s stance: “I think Thomson is being a bit hardline. Few agents can survive on less than 10% commission.”

Global Travel Group senior director Rod Bromiley said the group had a meeting scheduled with Thomson to discuss the scheme on December 21.