ASTA Approves International Membership Category

ASTA moved to increase its international clout with its board of directors deciding to open its premium membership category to international travel agency members and ASTA’s membership in the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA).

ASTA’s board met at the third annual International Destination Expo in Lyon, France. ASTA’s premium members were required to be in the U.S. prior to the new categories approval.

WTAAA represents agent associations in Canada, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, India and South Africa.  The board also reviewed key issues facing the retail travel market and ASTA’s current arbitration with the Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC)

The Board also previewed the results of a collaborative study with PhoCusWright that examines changes to travel agency size, composition and trends. The results will enable the board to position ASTA in an ever-changing marketplace, ASTA said.

ASTA also approved changes to ASTA’s code of ethics to make it more relevant to today’s membership and approved the 2008 election calendar.  Visit www.asta.org .