Vanishing breed? (why travel agents face a shrinking market and increasing competition)(Survey of Travel and Tourism)

From: The Economist (US) | Date: January 10, 1998 | Copyright information

TRAVEL agents are having a hard time. Traditionally they have made their money by taking a cut of what airlines, hotels and car-hire firms charge for their products. But that source of revenue is drying up fast. American airlines have already cut back the commission they pay to travel agents twice in the past two years, from 10% to 8%. The most recent cut, in November 1997, elicited squeals from agents, who claimed they were being driven to the wall. The num- ber of travel agents in ...

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