Welcome

Welcome to the website of the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents, your source for the latest travel-industry news and information for agents and travelers in Arizona.

Annual Holiday Party

Arizona ASTA’s eighth annual holiday party on December 11^th, 2009 at the beautiful Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa was a great success. Thanks to all those who attended. Read more and view photos of the event.

Fiesta in the Desert VI

The sixth annual Fiesta in the Desert travel agent showcase was held on Saturday, August 22^nd, 2009. Thanks to the agents and suppliers who made this a tremendous success.Read more and view photos of the event.

ASTA Names Seifert Travel Agent of the Year

Mary Louise Seifert, CTC, owner of Welcome Aboard Vacation Center, Inc., in Scottsdale, Ariz., was honored with ASTA’s 2009 Travel Agent of the Year Award, during the group’s annual meeting at THETRADESHOW in Las Vegas. The award, inspired by Joseph W. Rosenbluth, recognizes an active travel agent member who has made a great contribution to the travel industry and whose outstanding influence and professional activity have advanced the status of travel agents.Read more from Travel Pulse…

Southwest to Rollout Wi-Fi Service by 2010

Southwest Airlines is on its way to providing in-flight Wi-Fi access on all of its aircraft. The airlines and Internet Wi-Fi service provider Row 44 have plans to roll out the program in the first quarter of 2010.Read more from Chicago Tribune…

The Arizona ASTA Chapter congratulates Hope Wallace who was re-elected to the position of National Vice President and Secretary

Yesterday, at its first virtual Board of Directors meeting, ASTA’s Board reviewed the Society’s current position with respect to targeted and year-to-date goals, and was provided updates in critical areas of interest for the Society and its membership. The Board also installed the Executive Committee, which had three open positions for 2009-2010 and for which all three candidates ran unopposed.

Sitting on the 2009-2010 Executive Committee will be Chris Russo who was re-elected as ASTA president and chairman. Russo will serve with Hope Wallace, CTC, who was re-elected to the position of vice president and secretary. Nina Meyer will serve as ASTA’s treasurer. Also, pending ratification at the Board meeting during THETRADESHOW, Ellen Bettridge (American Express), the newly elected Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) chair, will serve as CAC-member director. Bill Maloney, CTC, ASTA CEO (ex officio), also will sit on the Executive Committee. The 2009-2010 Executive Committee will serve a one-year term, commencing at the end of THETRADESHOW (Las Vegas, Sept 13-15)Read more from ASTA…

ASTA Tells Agents to be Cautious of Troubled Suppliers

During this period of liquidity concerns, ASTA is cautioning travel agents to beware of tour companies and other travel suppliers that are struggling financially. The organization is also encouraging agents to thoroughly review travel-insurance policies and their coverage regarding a default. “With today’s economic challenges and particularly the reduced availability of credit, some suppliers and tour companies may be unable to meet short-term financial obligations,” ASTA said.

Mark Torpey, CTC, Arizona ASTA Board Member and Regional Director of Sales/National Accounts for M.H. Ross Travel Insurance Services, has added that agents and travelers be aware that different insurance companies have lists of companies they will or will not cover for bankruptcy or financial insolvency. Remember that most policies purchased through the tour company, cruise line, etc., do not include coverage for bankruptcy. Almost all third party insurers however, maintain a list of suppliers that are currently in bankruptcy and will not be included should they fail. There are some insurance providers that reverse this process and maintain a list just of companies they will cover. Here you have to search for the supplier you are using to be sure they are included, should you want to have your funds protected in the event they should default.

When possible, use a credit card to purchase your travel arrangements. This provides an added level of protection, but does vary with the credit card companies as well as the time period between the purchase of travel arrangements and when the actual default takes place.Read more from Travel Agent…

Southwest to Add, Boost Fees, Allow Pets Aboard Cabins

Southwest Airlines plans to implement a service charge for unaccompanied youngsters between the ages of 5 and 11, boost its fee for a third piece of checked luggage, and allow cats and small dogs in carriers in airplane cabins. The changes become effective June 17. The luggage fee is expected to affect about 1% of the carrier’s passengers. “We continue to allow our customers to check two bags on Southwest for free, making our baggage policy far and away the most generous in the industry,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s chairman, president and CEO.Read more from Tampa Bay Online…