George Dooley

Tim Mullen, co-president, Apple Vacations, offered Travel Agent an upbeat appraisal of the acquisition.

"Agents get the best of what both companies have to offer," says Apple Co-President Tim Mullen.

NDC appears to impose huge costs directly on to travel agencies, and indirectly, on customers, WTAAA says.

UTC agents are among the most productive hosted agents in the business and use technology effectively, the company reports.

IATA's NDC has been opposed by some large agencies and travel industry associations.

ASTA's Paul Ruden warns of the financial penalties for noncompliance with DOT code sharing rules.

Andavo CEO Cameron leverages size and market power into clout for independent contractors.

ABC Global's growth underscores the importance of technology and hotel sales to professional agents.

Current trends include group travel that is well ahead of last year, MAST reports.

The opportunity to present changes as a benefit to the public and a security improvement has been lost, argues the Consumer Travel Alliance (CTA).