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MARCH 02, 2009
Barcelo Reacts to Agent Backlash
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Travel Agent told you last week about Barcelo Hotels & Resorts’ new partnership with commission-free website, AboutAnywhere.com and received a lot of comments from upset agents. Agents obviously felt slighted by Barcelo’s decision to partner with a website looking to cut agents out of the commission process.
To be fair, we reached out to Barcelo, who gave us a written statement proving their loyalty to agents despite this new partnership. Here’s just an excerpt from that statement:
“Barceló Hotels & Resorts has been in business for 75 plus years and has built their business model around sustainable relationships with frontline sales force, mainly retail travel agents,” said Claudio A. Zboznovits vice president of sales and marketing USA/Canada. "In the U.S. and Canada, our sales and marketing efforts are highly concentrated within the travel agent community. Approximately 85 percent of our business comes from our tour operator partners with a vast majority stemming from travel agent bookings.
“Effective November 2008, we launched the B Partner program, Barceló's first ever travel agent loyalty program for North America, rewarding travel agents with easily obtainable complimentary hotel stays. For the introductory year, Barceló has reduced perks needed for redemption in half, resulting in what we feel is the most lucrative hotel stay compensation rewards program currently in the U.S. and Canadian markets. While on the website you can learn more about Barceló Hotels & Resorts with links to useful resources such as e-brochures that help ensure that travel agents have the necessary tools to maintain and grow their client base.”
We will post the full response on our new community site, AgentNation.
By: Joe Pike
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Comments 1-5 of 5
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Nina (MARCH 12, 2009)
If their rates are lower on this site then thru travel agents it is definetly agent bypass. If the rates are the same I have no problem with it. Lower rates only hurt themselves, I can easily get that matched from a tour operator or talk the client into a different hotel.
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Michele (MARCH 06, 2009)
I've been reading comments in other forums and I personally think there is a large lack of knowledge on this topic about both parties. AboutAnywhere.com seems to be going after OTA's like Expedia and Travelocity...not travel agents. I know the word commission is a sensitive word, but I think they are referring to the margins OTA's take. For Barcelo, it doesn't appear that their website pays commissions therefore you would continue to book through FunJet, MLT, TI, or whoever your preferred tour operator is. I thought FOR SURE that Barcelo was trying to drive direct business, but when investigating their website they do not pay commisions, so that is not the case.
The Expedia's of the world should be the upset ones. -
P Kelly (MARCH 05, 2009)
This statement means nothing to the hard working travel agents who have always supported them. I for one won't be selling any Barcelo properties now or in the future if this is their position.
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Tom (MARCH 04, 2009)
Try www.BarceloPartnerClub.com
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Pam Ashenmacher (MARCH 03, 2009)
This statement from Barcelo basically says nothing. The guy says travel agents have been instrumental in their success yet doesn't even address why they are undermining agents with their commission-free partnership. It's like that airline with the recording "we value our travel agency partners". Hah! Also, I was interested in their B Partner program but it was really hard to find info about it on their site. I finally found it but there appears to be no English version of the info!
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