Slater proposes ‘force majeure’ levy Andrew McQuarrie


Henbury Travel managing director Richard Slater is calling for the industry to introduce a system allowing agents to receive a percentage of commission that would otherwise be lost in ‘force majeure’ cases. The Abta board member, who is


offering the proposal in a personal capacity, said the ongoing Middle East conflict has served as a reminder of the “vulnerability” of the trade’s income model, which can leave agents earning “nothing” or suffering a “direct loss”. He has suggested several


mechanisms, including a levy on every booking, with a view to creating a fund that can


support agents when clients are refunded by suppliers. In a comment article for Travel


Weekly, he wrote: “If we want independent agents – and the wider retail distribution network – to invest, innovate and recruit, the commercial model must evolve. Because ‘force majeure’ should not automatically mean ‘zero pay’. “And if we learnt anything from


the last global shutdown, it should be this: hope is not a business strategy.” The levy, which he said could be


£3-£7 per passenger or 0.5%-1% of the booking value, would be added at the point of sale, labelled on invoices and go into a ring-fenced fund. If a booking were cancelled due


to extreme circumstances, such as a conflict, natural disaster or strike,


Agents return safely to UK after Gold Medal fam in Dubai


Juliet Dennis


A group of travel agents who were in Dubai when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran returned safely to the UK on Tuesday. The four agents, who were


on a Gold Medal fam, included two former Travel Weekly Cover Stars winners: Louise Griggs, who runs The Holiday Therapist as a personal holiday advisor for Constant Travel, and Idle Travel consultant Kieran Marshall. Marshall told Travel Weekly


from the flight to Manchester: “We were notified by the tour operator


6 5 MARCH 2026


that Emirates was running a very limited programme of flights back to the UK and that the operator had managed to secure seats for us.” He added: “The operator


has been brilliant throughout, but I can’t wait to get back.” Idle Travel director Tony


Mann, who had earlier praised members of the trade and customers for their support, said the update was “amazing news”. He added: “I kept checking my


phone as I couldn’t sleep properly, so when he messaged at around 3am this morning to say he had boarded I was still awake.”


The authorities


have a firm grip on events. Alerts were issued as soon as the strikes began


Griggs had earlier praised the


care given to the group but said “we are all on edge and anxious”. She added: “The hotel and all staff


have been brilliant at extending our stays. The tour operator is covering all our food costs and constantly checking in. We are all slightly scared


transacting and managing the crisis should not be financially punished for doing so.” He said the levy could be


Richard Slater


the client would receive their refund, while the fund would pay the agent “a fixed percentage of lost commission”, which could be up to 50%. “This prevents agents earning


zero on hours of work,” Slater wrote, adding: “This is not about avoiding refunds [but instead] about recognising that when global events intervene, the businesses advising,


described to customers as a “travel disruption support contribution”, helping to protect their booking process and ensuring agents can continue supporting when needed. He added the alternatives could


include an association or consortium- wide mutual risk pool, an opt-in ‘commission protection’ add-on or a micro-insurance model. A more “radical” idea would be


changing the timing of commission payments, so 50% is earned at the ticketing stage and 50% at departure. Slater has invited the Abta board


to discuss the proposal at its next meeting.


Kieran Marshall and Louise Griggs arrive back in the UK


to fly but just want to go home.” Sarah Hedley Hymers, editorial


director of Travel Weekly’s Dubai- based sister title Connecting Travel, said at the weekend that action from UAE authorities had been swift but the escalation of retaliatory attacks had created a situation in the destination that seemed “unreal”. She said: “The authorities have


a firm grip on events. Alerts were issued by embassies as soon as the strikes began and were quickly shared by communities in the UAE. “We’re following the news and


waiting to see what will happen next.” travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Kirsty Thompson/Newsquest


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