ASTA and a gaggle of journey company leaders on Tuesday issued a statement lauding Norwegian Cruise Line’s elimination of NCFs (the noncommissionable portion of fares) whereas calling on different cruise traces to do the identical.
“The practice of NCFs has long been a barrier to fair and transparent compensation for travel advisors,” the assertion reads. “Removing NCFs entirely reflects a trend toward more equitable and transparent commission models industry-wide, honoring the full scope of the work advisors do in service of shared clientele.”
The assertion was signed by ASTA’s government and consortium councils in addition to various company executives.
In addition to applauding NCL’s transfer, it highlighted different cruise traces that haven’t any NCFs: Explora Journeys, Viking and Virgin Voyages.
The assertion encourages “all cruise lines and travel suppliers to examine their compensation structures with an eye toward transparency, fairness and mutual success.”
It argues that eliminating NCFs leads to “more equitable commercial relationships,” recognizing the worth of advisors and in the end serving the top traveler if their advisor is “fully and fairly compensated” and may “invest more in delivering exceptional service, personalized planning and valuable expertise.”
Travel advisors have been inspired to prioritize reserving with cruise traces that haven’t any NCFs.
ASTA is holding a town hall on Jan. 16 with NCL’s John Chernesky, senior vice chairman of North American gross sales, to debate the cruise line’s transfer to remove NCFs.