TTG has seen the “important announcement” issued by InteleTravel, which says “agents should hold all bookings for this partner [P&O Cruises]”.
The notice adds: “P&O Cruises are currently not paying commissions and reclaiming commission on cancelled bookings.
“We will advise the status once discussions have been completed. Agents should NOT book this partner directly, and cease using their websites as no commission will be earned.”
It is understood the notice was issued at some point this week before discussions between the cruise line and homeworking giant took place.
InteleTravel’s UK managing director Tricia Handley-Hughes told TTG on Thursday (24 October) the “no book” status notice would be lifted before this weekend.
“Our commercial agreement remains intact and we will revert to business as normal by the weekend,” she said. “We just wanted to make sure agents’ hard work is rewarded by commission payments.”
When approached for comment by TTG, a P&O Cruises spokesperson said: “P&O Cruises has an ongoing commercial partnership with InteleTravel and there is no stop sale in place.”
It comes after the InteleTravel conference earlier this month where president and co-founder James Ferrara told delegates how “the energy and thirst to learn” among its UK and Irish homeworkers sets the agency apart from other companies.
In 2024, the US homeworking firm achieved record sales, with agents achieving £95 million in the eight months to the end of August – up from £85 million last year.
