Important IATA/IATAN Update -is this end of YTB?
Questions and Answers
1) Is YTB corporate working to get re-installment of the IATA/IATAN?
Yes. YTB and our legal counsel are actively working with IATA/IATAN
to resolve this issue and substantiate that YTB meets or exceeds both
IATA/IATAN's regulations and our own high standards.
2) Is YTB in trouble?
No, not at all. We just announced our best quarter ever, including
our highly successful Sail-a-Thon with Carnival Cruise Lines. We are
making plans for even more exciting opportunities for our RTAs and
Reps, including great travel and event packages for the 2008 Beijing
Olympics.
3) Are we a "legit" travel agency because of our remaining
affiliation with ARC?
We are a legitimate travel agency for many reasons including our
affiliation with ARC and CLIA, the extensive training and support that
we offer our RTAs, our strong vendor relations, and the fact that
Travel Weekly named us the 11th largest leisure travel agency in the
country.
4) So, what did IATAN status do?
The only thing IATAN status did was offer an additional avenue for
resources and supplier contacts. It also offered a card that must be
earned and was recognized widely among the travel supplier community.
The CLIA card offers many of the same benefits.
5) What is the difference between ARC and IATA/IATAN?
ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation) is the organization that
certifies us, and other travel agencies, to book travel and conduct
business. We are in good standing with ARC. IATA/IATAN is a global
trade organization, but their activities and accreditation do not have
any effect on the day-to-day running of our business.
6) Can we still use the IATA/IATAN number at the time of booking?
Yes, the number will remain the same as it also serves as our CLIA
and our ARC number.
7) Can we confirm that we are one of four agencies that had their
accreditations cancelled?
Yes. However, we are actively working with IATA/IATAN and our legal
counsel to regain our accreditation.
8) Are we going to issue new credential cards, since they say IATA/ARC#?
Until our issues with IATA/IATAN are resolved, we ask that RTAs
refrain from using any materials that reference IATA/IATAN.
9) How is this going to affect the RTA's ability to earn commissions
or receive travel perks? When calling the vendor, don't they need to
give the IATA number?
It will not affect the ability to receive travel commissions in any
way. Reduced rates will still need to be approved via the reduced
rates department to determine eligibility. Hotels only require CCRA
(in YTB's booking engine) to receive net rates (available in the
travel portal); these rates are basically when booking with hotels
directly. Some vendors will require an IATA or CLIA number while
others want the YTB phone number as verification.
10) How does this affect YTBU teaching about credentials? Should we
just omit the IATA/IATAN portion all together?
For now we should omit the IATA/IATAN portion, but we will continue
to evaluate this, as we work with IATA/IATAN.
11) How should we address the IATA/IATAN issue in business briefing
presentations?
If someone asks about it directly, assure them that the loss of
IATA/IATAN accreditation does not, in any way, limit our ability to
sell travel and receive commission. Also tell them that YTB is working
with IATA/IATAN and our legal counsel to clear the matter up as
quickly as possible
12) Does this have anything to do with Royal Caribbean terminating
our contract?
No, the two issues are not related in any way that we can identify.
13) Why does it seem like all this bad news is coming at once?
As YTB continues to grow, we become a bigger threat to both brick and
mortar travel agencies and other online travel sellers. That means
that some of our competitors might attempt to impede our business
progress in any way they can. Think of it as a "success tax." But know
that YTB's entire team is here to support our Reps and RTAs and we
will continue to fight the negative statements and misinformation
about our company.
Thanks for all you do for YTB.
J. Kim Sorensen
President & CEO
YTB Travel Network
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