Travel agents are now able to access higher commissions on airfares and achieve better prices for their clients through a new technology initiative launched this month by Queensland-based Eastern Eurotours. Managing director Chip Popescu previewed the system for travelBulletin, saying it will assist consultants to capture bookings they may otherwise lose to online players, and at the same time also boost their own income. “We are really excited to launch this,” he said.
The website at agentflights.com.au has just gone live, collating content from a range of airlines and allowing easy comparisons of the best fares and availability. Popescu said the company had leveraged its buying power for wholesale fares and also negotiated unique pricing with consolidators, with enhanced volume-based commissions passed straight onto the agent. “Basically it includes all airlines servicing Australia, and while the commission varies, it amounts to 3-5% extra for the agents,” Popescu said.
The only catch, he said, was that the bargain fares must be linked with a minimal purchase of land content from Eastern Eurotours in order to qualify for the wholesale rates — but in most cases this isn’t an issue for a travel agent client who is planning a trip. The amount of land content required varies depending on the airline and seasonality. “We are passing on all of our buying power to the agent,” he said. “It means agents can secure a booking and still make money, without having to drop their price to match with an OTA”.
Agentflights.com.au is just one of several technology initiatives being undertaken by Eastern Eurotours. Another key development has been the recent launch of the company’s TravelRez hotel portal, which aggregates prices and availability from 48 suppliers to offer agents the best deals available. Created in partnership with Innstant Travel, TravelRez combines Eastern Eurotours’ directly contracted rates with inventory from other major bedbanks such as GTA and Hotelbeds.
Popescu said about 1,000 agents across Australia are already signed up with TravelRez. “The pricing is very sharp,” he said, with inbuilt agent commissions worth up to 13%. The agent login for TravelRez is available from the Eastern Eurotours website at www.easterneurotours.com.au. Popescu said the two new tools would “allow agents to combat the internet, keep their clients and make additional commission”.
