Fred Olsen ups commission for discount fares
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is increasing travel agents’ commission levels on its reduced ‘best buy’ cruise fares, known as ‘Anchor Fares’.
Commission on all new Anchor Fares will be changed from 7.5%.to 10% with immediate effect.
Commission on existing Anchor Fares will be changed with effect from June 18.
Fred. Olsen will also be increasing the level of commission agents receive through customers booking on board Fred. Olsen ships to 10%, with effect from July 1, through the automatic referral initiative introduced by the cruise line last year.
Sales and marketing director Nathan Philpot said: "These changes to commission levels are aimed at making our travel trade partners more profitable through promoting and selling Fred. Olsen cruises.
"The number of late bookings has more than doubled in the last year, and we are aware that this has had a significant impact on agents’ earnings, with more bookings being made at lower commission rates and with lower yields.
"To help to redress the balance, we will be supporting our travel trade partners by moving all our special offers to 10% commission."
Fred. Olsen said it also wants travel agents to encourage customers to book their next cruise on board its ships, so has introduced the following benefits for both parties:
– Fred. Olsen will fully fund a 5% discount on all agent bookings for future cruises made on board (excluding selected Anchor Fares), on top of paying 10% commission
– A free one category cabin upgrade on suite accommodation (excludes selected cruises)
– ‘Deposit Instalment Scheme’ on board, enabling guests to ‘book now and decide later’
– Bookings made on board are automatically transferred back to the agent, securing customer loyalty for the agent and cruise line.
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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