STARS Group Offers New Membership Options

STARS, the recently formed professional group, has opened up membership to other sectors of the travel industry, including travel agencies, host agencies and consortia, according to Peter Stilphen, STARS founder. Current members are individual travel professionals.

“We will maintain the high standards we created when we founded STARS, and we will demand the same high standards from the other sectors,” Stilphen says. Requirements for travel agencies, hosts and consortia will differ. Host agencies and consortia can become non-voting members of STARS. The first year is free and $195 thereafter.

Hosts or consortia must be in business for at least two years, possess the required state licenses, have at least five independent contractors under a written contract and not offer a multi-level-marketing program. “During your first year as a member of STARS you will, at least once per month, email to your affiliates or members, an invitation to join STARS," STARS said in a statement. "STARS will provide the message branded with your (member) name. You will maintain the STARS logo on your website (s).”

Benefits include a listing on the STARS website in a separate host agency/consortia section with a link to the members website, a 1,000 word description, which will appear on the STARS' website and other benefits as prescribed by the STARS Advisory Board.

Visit www.thebrighteststars.com.