Agents missing out on coach touring commissions

Agents ignoring the coach touring sector are missing out on more than £5,000 in commissions a year, an operator claims

Coach specialists Insight Vacations and Trafalgar Tours found that on average an agent booking 10 couples on tours every year will earn around £5,250 in commission.

Sales director Paul Melinis said: “Commission payments are under threat throughout the industry, the airlines scrapped them a few years ago and now cruise companies are reviewing their stance. However both Insight Vacations and Trafalgar Tours remain committed to the trade and to pay supportive agents a decent commission.”

He declined to be drawn on specific commission details but confirmed that both companies pay “substantial double figure rates”.

Melinis added: “The touring sector is often overlooked by the trade as there are preconceptions that it’s not lucrative or particularly easy to sell.

“However, with over 200 itineraries between our two brands spanning 44 countries of the world, there are so many options for agents to offer their customers.”

He claimed that sales for Trafalgar Tours are up 35% over this time last year and Insight Vacations is 10% up.

“We’ve recently revamped our trade sales team and now they are getting out there talking to agents about our plans for the year we’ll be seeing sales soar even further,” he said.

by Phil Davies