Jenny Jackson, homeworker, Travel-PA.com said: “I was horrified by the news. “I wasn’t a big Thomas Cook seller, but I tried to support them where I could.

“Independent agents have supported them through all their problems – this is like the final nail in the coffin. It feels like we’re being stabbed in the back.

“I believe it would have taken them a lot longer to get out of the hole they were in if they hadn’t been supported by independent agents.”

Another trade source who preferred to remain anonymous added: “What they are planning to make by reducing commission, they will lose in volume.”

Sharon Keaveney, a personal travel advisor at Inspired Travel, expressed her disappointment at the decision but urged Cook to maintain price parity.

“For me it is heart wrenching when they’re cutting commission because we’re doing all the work, for them to gain the business.

“However the biggest thing for me is… still [allowing us] to compete on online pricing.”

“Nobody wants commission cuts whatever the company, whether it be one of the big boys or a smaller operator.

“If you’re going to cut it, we’ll have no say… but just keep price parity.”

Another agent at Midcounties Co-op agreed:  “I do understand it – I feel it was par for the course, and I don’t think that they will go to net, as some are suggesting,” he told TTG. “Commissions are going down from operators in general across the board.

“Where I am concerned is the fact that Cook has had a lot of offers recently on their website, and we have to now match that, and out of a lower commission.

“They initially promised price parity, and this is unfair. They’ve made it a lot harder to match them. I don’t want Cook to head the way of Thomson.”