Rocco Forte Hotels to ‘transform’ agent commission payments

Rocco Forte Hotels has partnered with travel industry platform Sion to “transform” the way it pays agents commission.

The group is the first luxury hotel brand to adopt the platform, which is designed to “modernise” the way advisor commissions are managed and paid.

Through Sion, agents will receive their commission within 24 to 48 hours of processing, with some payments being made “in as little as two hours”.

Advisors also benefit from competitive foreign exchange rates and no payment fees, as well as greater visibility into commission status.

Rocco Forte hopes the solution will address “long-standing challenges” associated with commission payments, including limited visibility, manual administration and lengthy payment delays.

Sir Rocco Forte, the group’s chairman and founder, said: “Travel advisors are fundamental to our business and deserve a commission process that reflects the value they bring. This new venture represents our commitment to making Rocco Forte Hotels one of the easiest and most rewarding luxury hotel brands to work with.”

Sion founder and chief executive Irving Betesh added: “Commission payments remain one of the travel industry’s biggest operational frustrations, creating unnecessary administration for both suppliers and advisors.

“Rocco Forte Hotels immediately understood that this wasn’t just a payment issue, it was a relationship issue. Their willingness to help shape the platform and become an early adopter demonstrates real leadership and a genuine commitment to the travel advisor community.”

Pictured: Rocco Forte Hotels’ Hotel de Russie in Rome