or: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The ITC Travel Group has increased travel agency commission by 0.5% to help offset the cost of the ban on credit card fees.

The group has raised commission across five of its six brands: Inspiring Travel Company; Western & Oriental; Rainbow Tours, Villa Select and Regent Holidays. ITC Sports’ commission is unchanged.

The EU Payment Services Directive 2, which outlawed card fees, came into force in January.

ITC client relationship director Lee Marshall said the group wanted to “take the strain off travel agents”.

He said: “We realise agents are being hit from all sides in the current market and we wanted to have an impact where it matters, rather than just holding nice events for agents. We are trying to take a more holistic, simpler approach to the trade.”

The news follows the group’s first brand wide trade incentive, ‘£100 in your pocket’, which applies to all new bookings which depart and return by the end of April. Agents receive Compliments retail vouchers worth £100. This runs in addition to its regular, year-round £500 incentive for ITC and W&a