Travel agents have overwhelmingly welcomed ARC’s new Helix program, which was launched earlier this week, ARC said in a statement that set out to reconfirm the value and integrity of the Helix model to the industry. Helix provides home-based and retail travel agencies competitive supplier offerings, multiple business services, and professional education and training. 
David R.B. Collins, ARC’s president and CEO, commented on concerns voiced by some members of the travel industry about the possible use of airline transaction data by ARC, giving Helix and unfair advantage,
"In response to questions related to Helix, we wish to confirm that the program was purposely built on a model that totally separates it from ARC’s core accreditation and transaction settlement mission and, as such, would not benefit from the analysis and use of airline transaction data. ARC has a history of providing products and services, such as our service fee program, which benefit agents and we plan on continuing to do so," Collins said.
ARC said suppliers signed on to the Helix program include Carnival Cruise Lines, Globus Family of Brands, Avalon Waterways, Insight Vacations, Travel Impressions, Funjet Vacations, and Southwest Airlines Vacations, among others.
Lauri Reishus, vice president of operations at ARC, said the company was pleased by agents' initial reactions, noting, "Helix is the right product at the right time. Helix gives travel professionals another choice to help them to grow their businesses."
More information about Helix is available at www.arccorp.com/helix.