Agents urged to support suppliers maintaining commission
It makes “sound commercial sense” for travel agents to support suppliers who are not cutting commissions, a Brittany Ferries chief says.
The company’s sales and marketing director Richard Price was speaking on the release of new self-drive brochures at a time when three of the big four operators have announced base commission rates will drop to 7% from January.
Price said: “At a time when major tour operators are cutting commission rates, I would suggest that it makes sound commercial sense for agents to put more effort into selling our holidays.
“Furthermore, our new 2006 programme makes it easier for agents to book as we have reverted to packaging the ferry and ground arrangements making it easier to understand prices and simplifying the booking process. All our holidays are fully bonded and, with the widest range of self-drive holidays on offer, from traditional gites to cycling tours, are designed to have a broad appeal. We even have our own agents support team.”
He added that agents account for a “very substantial proportion” of Brittany Ferries’ packaged self-drive holiday sales.
“Our two brands, French Collection and Spanish Collection, attract double digit rates of commission therefore providing a very real opportunity for agents to generate good earnings,” added Price. “In fact it is not too difficult for an agent to earn well in excess of £100 for a summer family booking.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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