Carrier has confirmed it will pay its preferred partners a "guaranteed override" as part of a host of new initiatives to support the trade through the latest stage of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tour operator said that the budget usually assigned towards educationals, events and promotions would now be focused on paying a guaranteed override to key agents on bookings made from January 1 to March 31, 2021.

The payment will be made at the end of the quarter in April rather than at the end of the year, providing an added boost to agent cash flow in the short term. 

An additional override payment will also be made immediately this month to agents whose bookings did go on to travel in 2020.

Carrier’s managing director, Mark Duguid, said: “Knowing that it was impossible for partners to hit their targeted overrides last year in such unprecedented times, exceptionally, we are offering to pay a guaranteed override to recognise our partners’ support in such a difficult year.”

Carrier has also launched its Travel Made to Order service offering customised booking conditions to suit individual client’s needs.

From amending or postponing at no extra charge to committing to a 100% refund if the holiday is not able to go ahead, the tour operator said its trade agent partners will now be able to offer their clients bespoke terms and conditions on all Carrier bookings, giving them greater flexibility and more peace of mind.

“The customer has always remained at the heart of our delivery and decision making, we’re now just equipping agents with the tools and collateral they need to execute this in a more proactive way,” said head of marketing, Natasha Towey.

“Customisation of our booking conditions to suit individual needs is an inherent part of our bespoke service and has previously existed behind the scenes, but today’s consumer and current climate means it has become even more valuable, so Travel Made to Order provides agents and their clients with more visibility and transparency earlier in the customer journey.”

Carrier has also introduced a small out of hours team to handle last-minute and urgent requestions in a bid to secure as many booking as possible.
Head of sales, Rick Milne, said: “Although this is only a pilot currently, we’re hopeful this can become a viable way to offer support outside of normal working hours to our key partners.” 

Milne added that the operator would restart its typical Preferred Partner Programme in “due course”.
“Last year was a challenge for the whole of the travel industry, but we hope we are now in the final stages and can focus on a rebound,” he said.

“Our Trade partners have always been at the forefront of what we do here at Carrier, but now more than ever we want to ensure we are offering them the best support at this crucial time.”