MSC Cruises ups commission on shore excursions
MSC Cruises is increasing commission to agents selling shore excursions for a six-month trial period up to the end of March 2015.
Promised as part of the cruise line’s ‘Serving You’ programme for agents, which launched in July, the higher commission goes live today.
Previously all agents received a standard 5% on excursions but that will now rise to the level of their individually-negotiated base commission.
To receive the higher payments, retailers must book the excursions via MSC Cruises’ new trade booking portal, MSC Book (www.mscbook.com/uk).
Giles Hawke, MSC Cruises executive director UK and Ireland said: "When we unveiled ‘Serving You’ we set out our plans to get closer to the trade and listen to their concerns. Enhancing commission on excursions was on our ‘to do’ list and we have been true to our word.
"Agents had told us in the past that our excursions were complicated to book and that the payments didn’t reflect the time it took. MSC Book is much more user friendly and integrates excursions into the sales path, so our partners can now book land-based activities easier and make more money."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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