Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection this fall is slated to launch a dedicated travel agent booking engine called Currents.
The river cruise operator has been working with Analytic Development Group to create a booking engine that will enable retailers "to effectively and efficiently secure their business," said Janice Tully, Uniworld's senior vice president of sales.
The operator welcomes bookings from at-home retailers, but a spokeswoman for the operator said they must be affiliated with an IATA- or CLIA-appointed host agency. She said the firm cannot pay commissions unless the agent or agency supplies a W-9 tax form.
"Uniworld is 100% trade-dedicated," said Tully. "Therefore, Currents is being developed to serve the needs of the travel agent community. It will not be available for direct consumers."