There are many organizations that are bending over backwards to build their membership. Some of these travel agent organizations are out of touch with the needs of today's professional travel agent while others are very worthwhile. I hope my biased, (Yes, I said biased) remarks will take out some of the confusion as to which ones you really should be considering joining. If I ruffle a few feathers along the way, well, so be it. That's my "yob". Listed alphabetically to be fair.
ARTA
One of our earlier organizations and caters primarily to the "brick and mortar" travel agent. Remember them? They are still around and kicking. I'm not sure what ARTA does anymore other than send out an unprofessional looking newsletter and continues to lose their member base. I know of a few really good agents that are still with them. My suggestion is that if ARTA can't re-invent itself maybe it can merge with another. Its allegedly dead TRIP ID card may have been it's "last hurrah." www.arta.org
ASTA
Like ARTA, ASTA has been around a long time. However, ASTA is far from dead despite financial problems in recent years. ASTA has always been involved with the local, state and national legislative issues in efforts to protect us from the greedy politicians. ASTA purchased NACTA several years ago from Joannie Ogg which, I believe, saved ASTA's financial life. Joanie turned NACTA into a cash cow for ASTA, therefore, I feel they should erect a statue of Joanie in their office lobby.
I met ASTA's new president, Chris Russo, a couple of weeks ago. All I can say is that ASTA should be thankful for this new, young President. He certainly wants the travel agent to forget the past, and I don't blame him, and move forward with new ideas. I totally agree. Keep up the great work Chris. www.asta.org
CLIA
This is not a travel agent organization but is the marketing and training arm for its cruise line members. It's revenue comes primarily from selling its cruise training products, membership dues and a sometimes controversial photo ID card. I have written several articles over the years criticizing their requirements for membership and its photo ID card. I believe, along with others who have spoken out, that CLIA wants to do the right thing and is showing that it will do so. They made some improvements to their photo ID card requirements in 2009 and I certainly hope it doesn't stop there. I am an advocate of stronger requirements especially for Host Agencies.
Travel agents have just two choices for their travel agent photo ID credentials. The IATAN or CLIA card. All others amount to foolishness and bad judgement by the travel agent and some suppliers. I also recommend that all agents selling cruises should be, at a minimum, associate members of CLIA. www.cruising.org
CRUISE AND TRAVEL AGENTS
Not one of our larger organizations, but as far as providing quality member services, especially agent training, this organization is one of the best. Founder and one of the instructors, Charlie Dubinsky, has been around the travel industry for 17 years.They may be considered more of a niche organization because they concentrate not only on cruise and destination training but on self improvement training. Cruise and Travel University is the live training arm of Cruise and Travel Agents. www.cruiseagentonly.com
NACTA As I mentioned above, NACTA is owned by ASTA. NACTA is primarily for Home-based Travel agents delivering training, networking, Seminars at Sea and networking via its much improved website. Under the leadership of Scott Koepf, an experienced industry leader, NACTA is being led into the 21st century. It should continue to be successful as long as ASTA provides a minimum of direction and leaves the NACTA folks to make it work for themselves. I also want to thank NACTA for dumping its Travel Seller's photo ID program. It was the right thing to do. www.nacta.org
PATH
This is an organization representing several excellent Host Agencies. The purpose of PATH is to promote education, resolve Host Agency problems with suppliers and work to resolve issues plaguing travel agents and their hosts. PATH does not advocate the so called MLMs and card mills.
I believe all Host Agencies who qualify should consider this membership. www.path4hosts.com
STARS is different organization than the other mainstream organizations. Founded and created by yours truly, the whole idea of another organization was to create the only non-profit travel agent owned, operated and controlled entity by the individual travel agent members.
STARS is all about continuous training and education and being recognized by the suppliers and the industry at large. It created its "Certified Travel Professional" designation to enable the designations such as MCC, ECC, CTA, CTE etc to combine forces under one single roof.
I personally created STARS to provide the ultimate travel agent focused organization to give to travel agents, at no cost and without strings, in order that they may unite and determine their own destiny. One day that special travel agent(s) with a vision will contact me and be in a position to run with it. www.thebrighteststars.com and www.certifiedtravelprofessionals.com
TPOC is not as well known as the others. The purpose of this organization, like other organizations, is to train and educate. However. TPOC (Travel Professionals of Color) is also about minorities networking with minorities. They have their annual conference, to which I have been invited to moderate a panel (They know not what they ask of me). They generally have around 300 agents in attendance and it's worth attending. Check out www.tpoc.org
I know I missed a few of the organizations. Look at it this way. It may have been a good thing as you never know what I may say about you.
Peter Stilphen, MCC
liberty3675@embarqmail.com
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