The Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) held a meeting in Singapore from 10-11 August and addressed…
The Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) held a meeting in Singapore from 10-11 August and addressed the issue of the Passenger Sales Agency Agreement (PSAA). Aspects of a proposed revised Agreement, which have yet to be finalised between travel agents, airlines and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the Global Consultative Committee, were also addressed.
Speaking in Singapore, UFTAA`s president, Mr Udaya Nanayakkara, said The Board has reached a policy position on the matters that remain unresolved between agents and airlines in relation to the conclusion of a revised Passenger Sales Agency Agreement. The Board`s position will now be conveyed to IATA and the Global Consultative Committee, which will be meeting from 8-10 October in Monaco.
UFTAA`s meeting in Singapore was important as it enabled its Board to conclude its four-year discussion on the revisions to the PSAA. The PSAA was first enacted in 1946 and is a global agreement under which all travel agents work and perform services for all IATA member airlines, outside the USA. The PSAA was last revised 20 years ago and does not apply to the US domestic market.
UFTAA CEO, Mr Birger Backman, said The decision to meet in this part of the world underscores the importance of the Asia Pacific region to the entire tourism industry because this region is the fastest growing region in air traffic and tourism. We are also very pleased to be here in Singapore to congratulate one of our members, NATAS, on their attainment of the Singapore Quality Class award. The UFTAA Board hopes the Global Consultative Committee – comprising travel agents, airlines and IATA – will adopt the proposed revised PSAA before the next UFTAA Congress, to be held in Damascus, Syria, from 31 October to 4 November 2003.
During this two-day meeting in Singapore, the UFTAA Board also addressed issues confronting the global travel industry. These include a shift in travel focus from Europe to Asia, the current situation faced by the airline industry, the changing consumer behavious, the effect of the Internet and new technologies on the travel trade and how competition authorities in Europe and Australia will impact on the airline industry, which will in turn determine how the travel agency business will be conducted.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
