This is not affecting DIRECT Regent bookings. If you book onboard and make the booking directly with Regent (no agent on record) then you can assign that booking to any TA you wish, there is no fee involved.

It is only when one travel agency is taking a booking ALREADY MADE away from another travel agency. It is as Pat said "to try to stop solicitation by travel agents of other travel agents clients" This unfortunately is a real problem. I do not think this will really work but this is the reason for the fee by Regent.

I have only been in the Travel Agent business for about 7 years and have been in other industries in the past and unfortunately the solicition by many methods in this industry is more evident than in any other industry I have been involved in before.