Sun City, South Africa, March 11, 2009 — The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) held its first 2009 board meeting in Sun City March 9-10 in conjunction with the American Society of Travel Agents' (ASTA) International Destination Expo and the Association of South African Travel Agents' (ASATA) 2009 convention.

"A wide range of issues were discussed during the two-day period, including matters affecting agents globally: the global recession; the relationship between agents, airlines and IATA; the ongoing reduced remuneration from suppliers; global warming; and, various other issues affecting the travel agency industry," said WTAAA Chair Mike Hatton.

"WTAAA is the major agency representative body which accounts for almost 70 percent of global airline sales processed through airline settlement plans. As a consequence of this position, it is beholding upon the board to meet and determine every possible action that can be taken in order to secure the business viability of its membership base and to speak from one voice globally. The exchange of information and ideas at meetings of this type is of vital importance to the world's agency distribution system," added Hatton.

The WTAAA board of directors is comprised of Mr Bill Maloney, CEO - ASTA; Mr Mike Hatton, Chairman - WTAAA; Mr David McCaig, COO - ACTA; Ms Robyn Christie, CEO - ASATA; Michel de Blust, Secretary General ECTAA, Mr Lars Thykier, Managing Director - DRF and representing ECTAA; Mr Ajay Prakash, Secretary General - TAFI; and Mr Peter Barlow, President - TAANZ.

National travel agency trade associations interested in joining WTAAA are asked to contact Mike Hatton through the "About Us" contact form at www.WTAAA.org.