UK travel buyers have called for more transparency on the income travel management companies (TMCs) receive from suppliers.
A new survey by the UK and Ireland Institute of Travel Management (ITM) found that 80% of the 90 buyers questioned were "uncomfortable with the significant income their representatives still derive from suppliers."
Mr Colin Goldney, managing director of Argate Consulting, ITM's research partner, said: "Over 80% of buyers want to know more about how, and how much income TMCs still receive from overrides, GDS payments and Sales & Marketing Agreements (SMAs)."
About a quarter of the respondents thought the figure might be 15% of their income.
The research showed that more than 50% of UK companies had seen fees paid to TMCs increase over the past three years. For those with a global travel spend, the figure was 62%.
Although self booking tools had cut transaction fees by 55% on average, companies were still paying transaction fees of up to £60 for international flights, ITM said.
Paul Tilstone, ITM's executive director, said: "TMCs have definitely re-positioned themselves from being suppliers' agents to buyers' agents.
"39% of buyers feel that TMCs are working on their behalf, with a further 43% reporting that their TMCs work for buyers and suppliers without conflict."
ITM said that the TMC income had "fragmented" since the arrival of zero commission.
It said: "Just 29% of companies now work with their TMC on a management fee basis, compared to 49% three years ago.
"Those who have switched have mostly adopted a menu-style or bundled transaction fees, fuelling non-compliance as end users pick up the total cost of service."
But the" who rely on commissions.
Half the buyers said they worked with the HBAs on a commission basis.
"This is bound to mean major changes for HBAs should hotel chains follow the example of their airline colleagues and reduce or even eradicate commission," Mr Tilstone said.
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