SLH launches automated commissions
Agents making hotel bookings through Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), will receive their commissions through a web-based automated system from the start of this year.
SLH claims it receives 75 percent of its central reservations through agents, worth a total US$37 million in 2002. The hotel brand says the new system will save time and money by making payments in the currency of the agent rather than the hotel.
The system was supplied by World Payment Systems (WPS) which ran a test with four SLH hotels over a period of three months in 2002. SLH regional manager, Southern Europe, Claudia Fiorucci told TravelMole that the advantage of WPS was that it allowed password-protected access by hotels and agents to assess the status of a payment. Both parties can also obtain statistical analysis of bookings and send messages to each another.
SLH says the average commission its hotels pay to agents is ten percent, but says commissions vary according to the relationship between the hotel and the agent.
Regional manager EMEA, Ken Sharp told TravelMole that SLH was developing a website for agents, which it hoped to launch mid-February. Mr Sharp said the website will support payments, enquiries, incentive schemes, and an “Academy” – an online educational tool for agents, which will be supported by events.
Mr Sharp said: “The UK has traditionally been package holiday orientated, but that has changed. The Academy will help agents get used to booking travel for independent travellers”.
SLH has 293 hotels in 50 countries. Typical room rates range between US$175 and US$700, and the average length of stay is three nights. SLH says it works with about 5,000 agents worldwide.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season