TTD: Galileo is ‘shocked’ by report of £20 million unclaimed hotel commissions
Galileo had admitted it was shocked by a report out last week claiming UK agents are failing to chase around £20 million of hotel commission each year.
The report, by commission recovery firm Net Trans, said most agencies fail to claim commission because the process is too time-consuming and expensive.
Galileo UK country manager Patrick Lukan said: “This is a shocking amount of unclaimed commission, however, it clearly demonstrates that the process of claiming commission for some travel suppliers is just too complicated – unnecessarily so.
“Agents simply don’t have the time to chase what is rightfully theirs.”
He said Galileo Leisure, launched last year, was designed to ensure commission (an average of 12%) was paid quickly. It also removes the expense of banking cheques and helps agents manage their cashflow, he added.
“Once the booking has been confirmed the agent can pay either by direct debit, cheque or credit/debit card,” said Lukan.
“However, the agent is only charged for the net amount of the booking: the gross amount, minus the commission. So there is no waiting for payment.”
Galileo Leisure allows agents to book hotels, car-hire, sightseeing tours and private transfers.
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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