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Travel management companies have been urged to be "open and transparent" about the issue of GDS opt-in fees.
The call came from Carlson Wagonlit Travel UK executive vice-president Andrew Waller.
Unlike some rivals, CWT is passing on the fees following Galileo, Sabre and Worldspan's new distribution deals with British Airways.
Waller said: "There seems to be a lot of noise this week about some TMCs claiming that they will not overtly pass on GDS opt-in fees to their clients.
"I think this raises the issue of openness and transparency. In reality, the cumulative cost for any large TMC absorbing all opt-in fees for all its clients is significant.
"For CWT it would have been circa Ł750,00 every year. Are TMCs who choose not to pass on these new charges, simply taking this cost on their bottom line? If not, the opt-in charges will hit all corporations in one form or another.
"CWT's position of passing on the opt-in fees as incurred is one of open transparency, which we believe better serves the interests of the industry and our clients."
by Phil Davies
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