NEW YORK -- CLIA's program to secure sales commissions from several
hotel, rental car and international air consolidators for its
agency affiliates was created to assist cruise specialists who
faced difficulties in collecting commissions on bookings in
conjunction with cruises.
Under the program, the hotel, rental car and air suppliers will
recognize CLIA affiliation within their booking and
commission-processing systems, ensuring non-ARC agencies will earn
commissions on pre- and post cruise travel services.
Many cruise specialists are without ARC accreditation, rendering
them unable to collect commissions from suppliers. Other air and
hotel suppliers routinely create "identities" to process agent
commissions through their systems, according to CLIA.
"We have 9,600 non-ARC agency locations in CLIA, and about 50%
of them are producing cruises," said Jim Godsman, CLIA's
president.
"Air and hotel suppliers are recognizing that they need to bring
more of these people into the fold. Now cruise-oriented non-ARC
agencies can earn commissions simply and efficiently for the 'extra
services' they provide their cruise customers," said Godsman.
"This is a very important first step that makes travel products
available to everyone."
As reported, the member companies are Starwood Hotels and
Resorts, Choice Hotels International, Swissotel, AutoEurope, Avis,
Alamo, Kemwel Holiday Autos and Destination Europe. Godsman said
the program will likely attract more suppliers.
"We've had a number of additional suppliers who've indicated
their interest," said Godsman, "but we decided to start with only a
few."