Preferred deals may crumble - BTN

THERE is no doubt that the vast majority of travel management companies (TMCs) want to move to nett-nett fares as quickly as possible and are tired of SAA playing cat-and mouse with commissions. This was one of the major issues explored in the first issue of Business Travel Now (BTN), which will be published this week. One the other hand independents are keen to retain commissions because not all have resources to provide IT platforms for fee-based income. This inevitably places SAA in a position where it can follow a divide-and-rule policy. BTN also explored the probability that preferred supplier policies might not exist in their current form, as corporate clients will dictate the future. BTN will reflect the issues of suppliers, the retail travel trade and corporate clients. For more information on editorial contact Mark Gray at markg@nowmedia.co.za or Kim Cochrane at kimc@nowmedia.co.za. Pierre Grobler manages advertising. Contact him at pierreg@nowmedia.co.za or telephone us at (011) 327-4062. Mark Gray