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The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) held its bi-annual board meeting and annual general assembly over two days in Vancouver, hosted by the Association of Canadian Travel Agents (ACTA).
The WTAAA meets twice a year to discuss the management of issues that affect travel industry professionals across the world and to share common problem-solving strategies.
Chairman Peter Barlow from New Zealand welcomed the international board and, in particular, ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar to the board for his first meeting.
“We have had a robust two days discussing a range of issues that are relevant to all our members. Because we represent the majority of global airline settlement plans, airline matters continue to occupy much of the discussion,” said Barlow.
Unbundled airfares, ancillary fees, GDS surcharges, airline credit card levies and credit card fraud formed part of the discussion.
“It is critical that all airlines level the playing field and ensure that agents have access to all airline content and are able to easily access and facilitate payment for ancillary services through their preferred GDS. Additionally, WTAAA will continue to engage IATA in dialogue to overhaul the Passenger Agency Programme, to make it more equitable and relevant in the current business environment,” added Barlow.
Also on the agenda were a number of broader industry affairs including agreement to strategically expand the WTAAA membership.
The meeting concluded with a function for the travel agents community in Vancouver hosted by Claude Morin, Air Canada and David McCaig, ACTA President and COO.
Claude Morin, vice president of global sales for Air Canada, took the opportunity to thank industry members for their support: “This is a challenging industry; it’s a volatile industry, but that being said, we are doing well because we have strong support from travel agents.”
The WTAAA board of directors is comprised of Mr Tony Gonchar, CEO – ASTA; Mr Jayson Westbury, CEO – AFTA; Mr David McCaig, President and COO – ACTA; Ms Robyn Christie, CEO – ASATA; Michel de Blust, Secretary General- ECTAA; Mr Ajay Prakash, President – TAFI; Mr Lars Thykier, CEO-DTAA: Mr John Pittman, VP-ASTA and Mr Peter Barlow, President – TAANZ.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
