Travel advisor technology provider Sion is expanding to work with suppliers with the end goal of getting travel advisors commission payments sooner.
Sion, a travel advisor-founded company that tracks and recovers commission, this week announced a partnership with Rocco Forte Hotels. With the partnership, Rocco Forte's commissions will be paid in days, Sion said in a release, at "a significant reduction in cost compared to the industry norm.
The technology company has also partnered with other suppliers in the process of going live with Sion, including SHA Wellness and Queen of Clubs.
By using its technology, suppliers will better be able to manage and distribute commissions, Sion said. That will likely boost direct bookings and strengthen relationships with the travel agency community.
"The travel industry has been waiting for this shift," Sion CEO Irving Betesh said. "Sion has already transformed the way travel agents track and manage their commissions. Now, we're doing the same for hotels, giving them the tools to manage and process commissions faster and more efficiently, because when travel agents are paid on time, everyone wins."
Jan Arnold, senior vice president of sales at Rocco Forte Hotels, said in addition to streamlining commission payments, the partnership with Sion enables the hotel company to have "complete transparency" with travel advisors.
"The travel community plays an integral role in Rocco Forte's commercial success story," Arnold said. "Commission payments are an important element of our partnership, and we continuously strive to improve. When travel agents are happy, they book more, and that benefits everyone."
Sion said it expects more hotel groups to sign on in the future.