Expedia opens inventory to high street agents
Expedia has extended its travel agent affiliate programme to the UK, giving agents direct access to the global Expedia inventory for the first time.
The Travel Agencies Affiliate Programme (TAAP) has been launched because Expedia recognises that some customers still want to book through an agent.
Vice president EMEA Mikael Andersson explained: “The TAAP programme in Italy has been extremely successful and it is for this reason we have extended it to the UK.
“There are still a significant number of consumers who prefer to book their holiday through a traditional high street shop and TAAP provides the perfect way for us to reach this new and previously unexplored customer base.â€
An external supplier with a dedicated team will provide the contact point between Expedia and the new affiliate travel agents.
The Expedia.co.uk site will host a dedicated travel agent sign in page through which agents can access flights, hotel accommodation, car hire and destination service.
Flight only bookings will not be available to travel agents.
Agents who sign up before the end of 2008 will be able to join for free and will earn enhanced commission on bookings made before March 31.
From January 2009 agents will pay a one-time joining fee of £40.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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