.travel Expands Domain Name Eligibility

If you are a travel agent looking to create a website for your business, or upgrade your current site, then you should make note of some important new changes to the the .travel registry made by Tralliance.

One and Two-Character Names to Be Released

On August 5, the ICANN Board approved a proposal by .travel for the release of all one and two-character domain names, such as we.travel and go.travel. The registry is now preparing a release program conforming to the terms of its proposal and anticipates that the release program will be announced late in September. Registrars and registrants will have ample opportunity to review the terms of the program before the first names are available for registration.

Important Policy Changes

The tegistry and its travel industry representative body have approved two new additional policy changes. These changes will go into effect on September 20, after a 30-day notice period.

The first of these changes adds an industry sector to the list of those travel industry participants who are eligible to register a .travel domain name. This sector is "Creators and providers of travel and tourism products, services and content." This sector definition makes it easier to determine eligibility since it does not require that an applicant fit within named types, but rather identifies them by their travel-related activities.

The second change allows the registry to provide incentives for use of .travel domain names. The registry has not put in place a program of incentives, but while such a program is developed the registry has suspended the requirement that .travel domain names must be used within 12 months of registration.

To register or find more information about .travel, visit EnCirca's .travel domain page at www.encirca.com/html/travel.shtml.