Updated: Monday, 05 November 2012
“The unauthorised use of the logo is nothing more than fraud and those travel agents doing so are intentionally misleading their clients” says Robyn Christie. “We are a voluntary Association funded by a portion of the retail travel industry that is intent on keeping the industry professional. This logo depicts credibility to the extent that government tenders require that your business subscribes to ASATA.”
Members of ASATA subscribe to a Code of Conduct that determines the way that its Members deal with each other, their suppliers and their customers. The primary aims of the Code are to ensure that the Consumer receives the best possible service from ASATA Members and to maintain the standing and good name of the Association and its Members. The Code is used as the foundation for dispute resolution in the event that a passenger seeks mediation. This year only 17% of the complaints laid against ASATA Members required a full investigation, the balance were either dismissed or resolved between the parties. The same cannot be said about complaints against non-members.
To find an ASATA Member please go to our Directory of Members »
To ensure that you have some form of remedy it is advisable to always use an ASATA-affiliated company for competent service and peace of mind when travelling. Consumers are urged to check with ASATA that those travel agents they have sourced are Members of the Association of South African Travel Agents before concluding business with them.
Agents who download the logo and place it on their website and corporate identity do so to gain the credibility they are not prepared to subscribe to or pay for and that is a travesty of integrity.
The Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) cautions travellers to beware of unscrupulous travel agencies and/or agents who claim to be ASATA members but are not. Some on-line travel agents make reference to ASATA in their terms and conditions, claiming to abide by the ASATA Code of Conduct. We believe this is an intentional act to mislead the client and to elevate their own business status. ASATA has recently sent legal warnings to operators who use the ASATA logo, but who are not in fact ASATA members. As at 17/09/2012, most of these operators have stopped using the ASATA logo, however...
THE FOLLOWING OPERATORS are NOT ASATA MEMBERS:
If in any doubt about whether you are or are not an ASATA Member, the easiest check is whether you have paid ASATA for your annual subscription fees. If not, then it is very simple – remove the logo from your electronic and physical stationery. No head office or consortium agreements automatically give you the right to use the logo.
ASATA requires that you complete an application form and submit financial information for their review. If you are interested in becoming a member please click here. We welcome new members and assist wherever possible. ASATA is recognised by the Government and other industry stakeholders as the regulator of an unregulated industry.
Issued by: Robyn Christie
Chief Executive Officer
ASATA
ASATA ALERTS
updated: 17 September 2012
A number of non-ASATA members are using the ASATA name and logo to lend
their businesses credibility. As a service to both the industry
and travellers, ASATA now "names and shames" ...
read more »
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Call: 011 327-7803, Fax: 011 327-7827, Email: general@asata.co.za, Web: www.asata.co.za