The Rocco Forte Collection claims to have become the first hotel brand to guarantee agents will be paid commission within 20 days of the client checking out.
The guarantee also applies on any cancellation fees received and on extended stays, regardless of whether the extension has been booked by the agent.
The group’s director of sales Mark Allvey said the scheme was piloted at two hotels and was now being rolled out across the whole portfolio.
“As travel management consultants are so vital to our business, we hope that it will make a real difference to those we currently work with and that it will encourage more to start booking with us,†he said.
The move has been welcomed by agents, with Guild of Travel Management Companies chairman Maurice Veronique saying: “In an industry where commissions are unregulated, this is an unprecedented move.
“A promise of this sort gives us the utmost confidence to book with them.â€
By Bev Fearis
