The Aito overseas conference in the Alentejo region of Portugal saw suppliers come forward to make the pledge as the trade prepares for the implementation of the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) on January 13, 2018, prohibiting travel firms from charging customers for paying by debit and credit cards.

Africa Collection, Abercrombie & Kent, Bamboo Travel, Classic Collection Holidays, Can Be Done, Ionian Holidays, McKinlay Kidd, Travel Gallery and 2by2 Holidays each said they would be increasing commission by January.

The news follows the same promise to agents by Aito members, Sunvil Holidays, The Experience Travel Group and Prestige Holidays, as well as Kuoni, earlier this summer.

Gemma Antrobus, Aito Agents chairman, told delegates in Portugal that the commission increase would “more than split the difference” for agents when it came to covering the costs of bookings.

“We are thrilled and a lot of agents will be relieved by this news,” Antrobus added.

Tim Milner, director of Asia specialist Bamboo Travel told TTG he felt boosting commission was “the right thing for us to do to share the burden with agents as we know how much of an important issue this is”.

Travel Gallery’s Farzana Dobbs said the London-based operator, which also runs its own travel agency, “could see both sides of the problem”.

“It’s an extremely difficult time for agents and it’s vital that tour operators are taking the lead on issues like this and are showing their support,” she added.

James Westrip, director at Africa Collection said the operator saw the commission increase as the best way to help the trade following a number of meetings with agent partners and advice from Aito Agent members and management.