Since more people are coming forward with complaints of having been deceived by tour operators and travel agents, we in the travel industry are beyond shocked and mortified (“Many duped in tour ‘scam’, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 26 June).
It is important for you, as a potential traveller, to know you are booking with a reputable travel agent and not just a fly-by-night.
How would you know you are booking through a reputable travel agent, you may ask. Here are some simple questions to ask your travel agent:
- Do you have an International Air Transport Association (IATA) certificate?. Are you a member of the Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA)?
- Are you a member of a consortium?
- Are you Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant?
- Are you South African Revenue Service (SARS) compliant?. Do you have a BEE certificate?
If your travel agent is not able to provide you with valid copies of the above we would strongly recommend that you either walk away or do your homework carefully before you give them your hard-earned money for any trip.
The travel industry was hit very hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, and yes, many of us travel agents are working as ITCs (independent travel consultants). Even so, we are still able to provide you with these documents.
At XL BLUE PLANET Somerset West we are more than willing to provide you with these copies and will assist you with all our travel arrangements just like we have done for the past 26 years.
