A study by the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance WTAAA has revealed that a professional fee model is gaining momentum.
The report shows that rather than relying on supplier commissions, there has been a notable shift in the percentage of travel advisers charging clients upfront for their knowledge and expertise.
In South Africa, over 90 of corporate-focused TMCs use service-fee structures. Leisure consultants are increasingly adopting non-refundable deposits tied to itinerary planning, particularly for mid-to-high-income clients who prioritise risk reduction post-pandemic.
Other findings from the WTAAA Global Study:
- New Zealand leads globally with more than 95 of agencies charging structured fees after airline commissions were cut by up to 100.
- Europe has a 66 adoption rate, with widespread use of non-refundable consultation deposits.
- In the US, 55 of traditional travel agencies charge professional fees through hybrid models combining consultation charges with residual commissions.
- In Canada, around 50 of advisers consistently apply service or consultation fees despite confidence gaps that were reported when presenting pricing models directly to clients.
- Fee adoption is limited across much of Asia-Pacific.
- In Latin America, cultural expectations favour embedded pricing models instead of explicit advisory charges. Luxury-focused firms show early signs of moving toward tiered consultancy packages.
Today's travellers want complex itineraries, upfront pricing, and 24/7 support, and they want advisers who can dedicate their full expertise to creating the perfect trip. Professional fees enable advisers to be true consultants, not just instruction-takers, said Otto de Vries , Executive Director for the WTAAA.