Speaking at the TravTalk ThinkTank, Pran Sathiadasan, VP – Commercial Operations, Indian Subcontinent, flydubai, said that travel agents will continue to play a significant role in airline distribution despite declining commissions. He shared that international travellers still rely heavily on agents for visas, hotels, and complex itineraries. While banks and digital platforms are expected to become stronger customer acquisition channels, Sathiadasan believes they will complement rather than replace traditional travel advisors. He added that agencies will increasingly generate revenue by charging service or convenience fees instead of relying primarily on airline commissions.
Janice Alyosius is a travel and MICE journalist focusing on business travel, destination marketing, aviation and industry policy. She leads editorial content at MICEtalk and also writes for TravTalk, covering global trends, trade developments and key industry conversations. With regular reporting from tourism forums, conventions and on-ground industry events, her work blends news-led analysis with strong industry voices, offering clear context and relevance for travel trade professionals and decision-makers.