The purpose of WTAAA is to foster and facilitate exchanges of information and advice on matters of mutual interest as they arise in the various national and international domains in which the parties operate, including but not limited to air transport policy, international cruise line policy and international hotel policy. The WTAAA will also provide a forum for consideration of common strategic visions, synergies in the management of issues and common advocacy on issues where there is unity of interest. The WTAAA shall at all times comply with the laws, including particularly the competition laws, of any jurisdiction that may apply to its activities.
MESSAGE FROM WTAAA'S CHAIRMAN
August 24, 2010
It is an honour that I have been elected to succeed Mike Hatton (AFTA) and Chair the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) as we leave behind the uncertain economic times of the recent past and look to the future. The relevance of the Travel Agent has never been more important as the consumer must navigate the myriad of destination information, airfares, travel products, visas and ancillary fees that make travel an increasingly complicated experience.
The WTAAA is now firmly established as the single global voice that continues to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information that is of vital importance to the world's agency distribution system. We will continue to interact with our supply partners, GDS's, local government and to mediate with IATA on the global council as the largest collective contributor of airline sales processed through the various global settlement plans.
Naturally, as advocates of a strong travel agency supply network, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. Please make contact via your country association or to me personally.
Kind wishes,
Peter Barlow
Chairman
World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA)
About ACTA
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) is the largest organization in Canada's travel industry and by far the most important representative of travel agencies and agents in the country. ACTA speaks on behalf of more than 2,000 travel agencies and about 18,000 travel agents who are members of the association. In addition, hundreds of industry members such as hotels, rent-a-car companies and other providers join ACTA as Allied Members. We also partner with corporate leaders such as RBC Insurance and GlaxoSmithKline Inc. which supply travellers with vital products.
ACTA represents most of the largest and mid-sized agencies in Canada as well as many agencies employing from one to 10 agents. About 66 percent of all travel agents hold ACTA membership. We have corporate and individual members in all provinces and territories including full time travel agents and the approximately 30 percent of agents who work part time.
The entire tourism sector in Canada generates more than $90 billion a year in spending by visitors to Canada ($15 billion), Canadians travelling abroad ($27 billion) and Canadians travelling domestically ($50 billion). This involves tens of millions of individual journeys - and about 27 percent of this travel is arranged by travel agents. This means travel agencies are directly responsible for more than $24 billion each year worth of travel, touring, cruising, eating and stays in hotels or other accommodation by Canadians home and abroad and by visitors to Canada. More than 16 million passengers fly on scheduled airlines just between Canada and the U.S. each year.
Travel agents arrange a large number of tours, contributing to the C$7.5 billion Canadian tour operators generate yearly. Travel agents also book a large number of cruises for cruise lines. They also promote, explain, sell and book the services of insurance providers, hotel and other accommodation providers, auto rental firms and others. Canada's travel agencies bring in revenues approaching $2 billion a year, spending almost $900 million of this amount on salaries and benefits for employees.
In the three provinces that regulate travel agencies and operators, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, agents help customers recover funds from government programs when provider businesses fail or travelers experience other difficulties. In other provinces, customers depend on agents to make them alert to possible problems and ways to protect themselves from losses.
About AFTA
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents Ltd ("AFTA") was founded in 1957 to establish professional standards for travel agents, stimulate, encourage and promote travel; bring together those acting as intermediaries in the distribution of travel services; and, to build strong working relationships with suppliers and consumers of travel related services.
AFTA represents approximately 70% of Australia's intermediaries that control more than 90% of the industry's turnover. It also has a substantial base of associate members, representing non-intermediary sectors of the travel related services industry. Members are bound by AFTA's Code of Ethics.
AFTA represents the interests of its members on many local and international bodies, and has a focus on developing the Australian tourism industry.
AFTA's mission statement encapsulates this spirit: To be truly representative of the travel agents of Australia. To enhance the professionalism and profitability of its members through effective representation in industry and government affairs, education and training and satisfy the needs of the travelling public. To promote travel and domestic tourism.
About ASATA
The Association of South African Travel Agents, simply known as ASATA, was formed in 1956. Its founders created a representative forum in the industry to promote professional service with security for both Members and their clients. As a Section 21 Company not for profit, membership of ASATA is entirely voluntary and extends to South African Retail Travel Agents, Travel Management Companies and Wholesalers. A Partners section for those suppliers of travel related products to the industry also exists. Currently the Membership represents more than 85% of the industry including the head offices of most of the major brands.
ASATA's emphasis is on free trade without violating rules and regulations. Accordingly we have entrenched a Constitution and a Code of Conduct that self-regulates the travel industry and provides the consumer with a benchmark and the comfort that the Members are compliant with ASATA's guidelines. As an indicator of the effect of our governance processes, more than 97% of the complaints we receive from the Consumer relate to non-ASATA members!
ASATA is administered by a full-time Secretariat headed by a Chief Executive Officer, with the day-to-day functions being monitored by a Members Council and its continued role and direction are guided by a Board of Directors. All the Members of the Regional Committee's, Council and Board are elected by the Members at an Annual General Meeting.
The association interfaces with key opinion leaders in the industry and senior Government officials in representing its Members on all issues of common interest to ASATA Members. This includes policy, planning, operational and regulatory issues ensuring the ongoing sustainability of the travel industry.
Our representation includes affiliation to; The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education & Training Authority (THETA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), The Airline Association of Southern Africa (AASA), The Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA), World Travel Agents Association Alliance (WTAAA), The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), Tourism Empowerment Council of South Africa (TECSA), Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA), Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) and South African Tourism (SAT).
The make up of the Membership base is directly related to the outbound travel market. ASATA values tourism into this country and supports the vital growth opportunities it presents for South Africa. More recently ASATA has made every effort to distinguish travel from tourism as our Members tend to focus on fulfilling the South African traveller's requirements. It is important to make this distinction as the effect of bundling travel and tourism impacts training needs, statistics, service delivery and understanding the economics of this dynamic industry.
The primary focus of ASATA is directed at any issue related to improving the continued sustainability and profitability of its Members and ensuring the delivery of a professional service to the travelling consumer. This is achieved through strong relationships and open dialogue with all stakeholders.
About ASTA
ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) is the world's largest association of travel professionals. The mission of ASTA and its affiliated organizations is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing and a rewarding place to work, invest and do business. Founded in 1931 as the American Steamship and Tourist Agents' Association, ASTA and its affiliates now comprise the world's largest and most influential travel trade association with members in 140 countries. As the world's largest travel trade association, our work encompasses every aspect of the travel experience. For more information see www.ASTA.org.
About TAANZ
The Travel Agents' Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) is a trade organization representing the travel agent and tour operator distribution system in New Zealand. There is no government licensing for travel agents and therefore TAANZ is a self regulating organization promoting quality standards and financial stability.
TAANZ works with its members to promote a Code of Ethics and Practice, and to stimulate, encourage and promote the desire to travel. We also work with the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organization (ATTTO) to train staff in the skills required of the modern travel agent - customer relations, selling skills, e-commerce, new technologies, the law and the wider travel industry. TAANZ mediates with IATA at the local APJC and with local regulatory bodies and with government on any matters that impact the travel industry.
All members must meet strict membership and financial criteria and be subject to an annual financial review by an independent Bonding Authority. All members participate in the TAANZ Bonding Scheme for the protection of IATA Airlines and consumers against agent default. The TAANZ Bonding Scheme has been in existence for 30 years and has ensured that no consumer has ever been left out of pocket by the collapse of a TAANZ member travel agency. In total we have processed IATA/consumer claims of NZ$4.1 million and recovered through bonds NZ$2.7 million and protected over 2000 consumers.
TAANZ was founded in 1962 and represents approximately 90% of the travel agents in New Zealand, numbering over 400 travel agency locations (70%) plus 420 home based travel brokers. Our members employ over 2,000 travel consultants who transact over NZ$2.7 billion annually.
Travel agencies range in size from small leisure focused offices to large offices specializing in corporate travel management (TMC's). The average office employs four travel consultants. The trend is towards fewer 'bricks and mortar' branches located in city and town 'high streets' and 'shopping malls' to more home based travel brokers who work remotely for our traditional office-based members.
Because of our remote location, New Zealanders relish overseas travel and do so frequently for both leisure and business. New Zealanders take almost 2 million overseas trips annually which is high considering the total population is 4.2 million The number travelling has more than doubled over the last fifteen years. Australia is the destination for about half of all New Zealand residents departing on short-term trips followed by UK/Europe and Fiji.
Many TAANZ members are also involved in inbound tourism, New Zealand's number one industry. Inbound tourism attracts over 2.5 million visitors annually who spend NZ$6 billion and support 1 in 10 jobs in New Zealand.
