For travel agents, one of the big advantages to working with a host travel agency are the host’s established industry affiliations. One of the most important organizations for travel agents in the United States is ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents.

This past September, members of KHM Travel’s executive team joined travel travel agents, travel industry executives and advocates at the 2016 ASTA Global Convention in Reno. The experience strengthened our commitment to educating agents about ASTA and the benefits it offers its members.

KHM Travel’s Rick Zimmerman, Lisa Morris and Bill Coyle at the ASTA Global Convention.

Learn more about the importance of ASTA, and how our affiliation works to benefit all KHM Travel Agents below!

WHAT IS ASTA?

ASTA, which stands for the American Society of Travel Agents, is a leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public. As the world’s largest association of travel professionals, ASTA’s mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism.

WHAT DOES ASTA DO?

ASTA’s work encompasses every aspect of the travel experience. Here are a just a few of the ways in which ASTA’s efforts impacts travel agents:

• Industry Affairs: ASTA advocates to ensure a level playing field and fair competition through the travel industry to benefit both travel professionals and consumers. For instance, in 2015 ASTA’s advocacy saved the travel agent community $172,903,566 in taxes that states were trying to apply to travel agencies.
• Education: ASTA provides its members with the finest education and information resources available, so that they are able to provide the best service to their clients. For instance, it’s beneficial to check ASTA.org when circumstances that may impact your clients’ travel, like Zika, H1N1, or natural disasters occur. Remember that even if your clients aren’t visiting an area that is directly affected, their travel plans still may be impacted.
• Consumer Affairs:  ASTA constantly monitors the travel industry to identify “scam” operators and others whose practices cheat consumers and negatively impact the travel industry. ASTA members subscribe to a 13-point code of ethics which stands for “Integrity in Travel.”
• Consumer Awareness: Through advertising and public relations, ASTA strives to make the traveling public aware of the many benefits of using a travel professional to arrange and purchase travel.

Because KHM Travel Group is an ASTA Premium Member, our agents have access to the latest in legal and governmental updates, sales strategies, product knowledge and business tools.

Current KHM Travel Agents can learn more about how to join ASTA in their Portal, and can find their local ASTA chapter here.

For more information on how you can become a travel agent with KHM Travel Group, get our free Travel Agent Information Guide! Just fill out the form on the right side of the screen or call 1-888-611-1220 to gain access to it.