Peter Lobasso, Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Todd Wallace, Director of Industry Affairs, American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)
The travel industry today reflects a combination of both opportunity and uncertainty.
Advisors are seeing record demand for their services as their clients seek to book long-postponed trips, while at the same time facing challenges such as inflation, shifting consumer confidence and worldwide geopolitical tensions.
In such an environment, the success of the industry requires organization, sound judgment and effective representation. These are precisely the qualities that define the work of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
As the leading travel industry trade association, advocacy is central to ASTAs mission. From collaborating with policymakers in Washington and state capitals across the country on tax and regulatory matters, to pushing back against ongoing supplier disintermediation efforts, the organization focuses on ensuring that advisors can build sustainable, thriving businesses while serving their clients professionally and with the highest degree of integrity.?
Peter Lobasso, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, ASTA. (Photo Credit: ASTA)
One consistent area of focus is on timely compensation. Far too many advisors continue to report extended delays in collecting commissions from sales made many months, or even years, earlier. Likewise, the prevalence of non-commissionable fares (NCFs) among cruise lines unfairly reduces the advisors effective commission rate on the bookings made on their behalf. To address these challenges, ASTA is creating tools to help advisors avail themselves of our existing business-to-business dispute resolution process. We are also pressing suppliers for greater accountability and transparency by calling attention to NCFs and other policies that weaken income security for advisors.?
The impact of this work can be seen in several recent examples. When American Airlines introduced a restrictive fare distribution strategy intended to disadvantage the agency booking channel, ASTAs vigorous opposition eventually led to the airline reversing course. When Disney imposed burdensome new insurance requirements on agencies, ASTA publicly raised its concerns, and the terms were made more reasonable. And when Turkish Airlines withdrew its content from Sabre, ASTA urged prompt resolution, leading to restored access. These cases illustrate how collective advocacy can influence supplier behavior and protect advisor interests in practical and significant ways.
ASTAs efforts also extend to raising professional standards within the industry. With no state or national licensing requirements, anyone can call themself a travel advisor, a less-than-ideal situation for consumers looking to work with a true professional.
Todd Wallace, Director of Industry Affairs, American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
The ASTA Verified Travel Advisor certification program fills the gap and raises the bar by establishing an industry credential signaling that the advisor holding it is experienced, knowledgeable and maintains the highest ethical standards. In an unregulated marketplace, such recognition provides consumer confidence while reinforcing the credibility of the travel agency distribution channel.?
Looking ahead, ASTA is also preparing for the future through education and workforce development. Partnerships with institutions like Florida International University help create entry points for new talent, while popular ASTA events such as the Travel Advisor Conference and River Cruise Expo provide opportunities for experienced professionals to connect, learn and grow. These initiatives demonstrate that advocacy is not only about addressing immediate challenges but also about building a foundation for the long-term growth and resilience of the industry as a whole.?
Ultimately, what makes these efforts effective in an era of both opportunity and uncertainty is the collective voice behind them. When ASTA advocates for sound public policy, for fairer supplier practices or for higher professional standards, the entire industry benefits in ways individual voices alone could never achieve. That is the essence of industry advocacy that truly shapes the future of travel.?
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