Caa Brings Further Legal Action Against Travel Republic
Following last year’s ruling in favour of Travel Republic at Westminster Magistrates Court, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recently launched another criminal prosecution against the online travel agent. In 2009, it was held that Travel Republic had not breached the Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) Regulations 1995, which pertain to package holidays among other aspects of the travel industry. Subsequently, the CAA brought further legal action against Travel Republic but this time chose to argue the issue from a more pointed angle by asking: was Travel Republic in breach of its legal duty to hold an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licence)?
The ATOL was drawn up with the intention of providing greater protection to consumers who opt for package holidays. In the event of a travel operator permanently ceasing its business operations for one reason or another, the ATOL enables the CAA to ensure that affected customers do not lose their money and that, if they happen to be abroad at the time the travel operator goes out of business, any stranded customers are allowed to finish their holidays in the knowledge that return flights have been organised for them.
Travel operators that hold an ATOL are required to enter into a financial guarantee scheme that is managed by the Air Travel Trust (ATT), which supplies the monetary funds to customers should a travel operator go out of business. Clearly, the question as to whether or not an online travel agent holds an ATOL is critical in determining its liability where problems arise. As such, the CAA was disappointed to hear the judgement reached by Nicholas Evans DJ in the latest case involving CAA and Travel Republic.
Crucially, he ruled that Travel Republic did not act as a tour operator and did not, therefore, require an ATOL. The decision meant that Travel Republic had not committed a criminal offence, as the company merely acted in the role of travel agent and did not assemble package holidays. Although the decision may surprise some customers who purchase package holidays through online travel agents, the reality is such that contract formation is nowhere near as simple as the purchase itself; in fact, it is often the case that several separate contracts are involved: one for the flight; one for the accommodation; and others for various components of the holiday.
The decision reached in CAA v Travel Republic will have a profound impact on holidaymakers, who are advised to keep accurate records of every step involved in the booking process; indeed, of particular interest in the present case were the call transcripts and recorded telephone conversations relating to the booking in question. When using the services of online travel agents, it is essential that customers read the small print carefully and retain electronic and printed copies of all agreements signed. The question as to whether a holidaymaker has booked a ‘package holiday’ or some other form is not always easily resolved, yet the distinction is crucial in determining whether a claim can be brought in the English courts or abroad. The travel law team at Blake Lapthorn will quickly identify what protection is available in a given case and what steps can be taken to resolve any dispute.
This article was written by Daniel Scognamiglio. Daniel is a partner and team leader of the holiday claims team at Blake Lapthorn solicitors.
Travel Home Based Business
With the turn of the century, the number of work-at-home jobs has rapidly increased and the figures are still on the rise. This totally debunks the myth that you need to be inside the four walls of an office for you to have a fulfilling career. Now, jobs are becoming more and more flexible, allowing you to work anywhere and everywhere you wish. The number of online business opportunities and telecommuting jobs are endless but one particular possibility could be establishing a travel home based business.
With thousands of people making trips all throughout the year, a home based travel agency can help you earn serious cash. Currently, the travel market is worth $300 billion. You can set up your business in two ways: you can tailor it to be a referral agency or as a booking and selling agency.
Let me first explain the first one. If you set up your business to be a referral agency, you will be referring your clients to a certain, independent travel agency. You may opt to have tie ups with multiple travel agencies but it is quite usual for referral agencies to only work with one specific travel agency. If you wish to take this route, you will be compensated in the form of commissions. Every time you are able to successfully refer a client, the travel agency that you are working with will give you a referral fee or commission percentage based on how much they earn from your client. That sounds pretty simple enough.
Now, what if you were to set up your home based travel agency as a booking and selling agency? You will have more tasks and responsibilities on your plate than with the first option. If you set up a booking and selling agency, you will have to tend to the individual details involved in a trip which includes finding the perfect hotel and booking the flights. You will also be responsible for planning the travel itineraries of your clients. Essentially, what you need to do is to assist your client in any possible way you can in planning for their trip.
If you decide to become that kind of a travel agent, you will receive higher commissions because of the time and effort that you have put in. To receive these commissions, you will need to have partnerships with agencies that are linked to different airlines, cruises, and hotels. By doing so, you can score discount airfare and cheap hotel accommodations. The difference between the advertised rates and the discounted rates will be your commission. Sometimes these partners set a commission percentage according to their earnings. It is a fact that most hotels have to pay travel agencies 10% of what they earned from the referred client. Travel agents of this kind can also set their own rates and ask for service fees from their clients for doing all the needed preparations.
But just like in any kind of job, you will need to go through some series of trainings for you to become a travel agent. This does not mean that you really have to go back to school for you to become a good travel agent although you do need to have at least a high school diploma. All that you need to learn are the basic comings and goings of the travel industry like hotel, airline and travel policies that are necessary for you to plan a trip.
It would also be an advantage if you know the prevailing cultures of the destinations that you are offering, their languages, climate and famous tourist spots. Obviously, you need to have good communication skills in order for you to get through to your clients so command of the English language is essential.
That might sound a handful but it is really very achievable. There are so many websites that offer online courses regarding this subject matter. Look for an online course that is designed by someone who has gone through formal training or has been in the business for a long time. Most importantly, you need to have the passion for being a travel agent. Liking your job makes everything else less stressful. There is nothing like good old hard work to make your travel home based business succeed.
Tom McMullen writes articles related to home business. You can see more of his articles at: http://www.moneydeals4u.com
Powerful and Scalable solution for Customer Management in Travel Business
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Dquip provides business administration software solutions specially designed for Tour Operators and Travel Agents. Our solutions and services enable travel companies to maximize technology utilization in order to automate business process, increase productivity, better customer service, which in turn would increase profits.
Having worked on numerous projects for Tour Operators and Travel Agents , we have gained unmatched business and technological expertise. This knowledge base and experience help us save clients and our precious time to deliver the right solution for every specific situation.
Dquip solutions for Tour Operators & Travel Agents combines the features of a lead management and client management with essential tour operator specific functionality to bring you a fully integrated travel-focused IT solution that covers every aspect of Travel Business.
We provide customised modular solution that can be tailored for a precise business fit. Our technical team constantly conducts research on new technology products to meet the ever-growing needs of Tour Operators & Travel Agents.
Automation for Customer Management in Travel Business
» Simple and automated module to manage & increase revenue from existing customers.
» Automated SMS & Email Reminders, Greetings, Birthday Wishes, Festivals, Meetings etc.
» Promote all your products/ services on a regular basis to your customers.
» Automate your work flow so you and your employees can do a lot more in less time.
» Complete online system which can be integrated in your website.
» Customer relationship management (CRM) is all about managing the relationships you have with your customers.» CRM combines business processes, people, and technology to achieve this single goal: getting and keeping satisfied customers.
» It’s very hard to run a successful business without a strong focus on CRM. After all, it’s all about the customer.
Dquip has planned, constructed and implemented Design, Consulting & Web Solutions that not only meet our client’s needs, but also exceed their expectations and earn their trust. Our team of professionals are as well versed in the art of interpersonal communication and problem solving as they are in the language of technology.
Reach our SALES TEAM
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Benefits of an Online Travel Agency
One of the obvious benefits of an online travel agency is the ease with which any consumer can compare prices, research their chosen destination, and chose the best way to get there, all with the click of a mouse button. From the comfort of your home or office, even a novice traveler or hopeful tourist may book flights, secure lodgings in major hotels or local bed and breakfast providers, and sign up for tours at places of interest, all while being on a single website of their chosen online travel agency. By simply spending a few minutes in front of your computer, anyone can now plan every detail of an upcoming vacation or business trip with less stress. Online travel agencies are convenient services literally at your fingertips, which provide all of the necessary information you may require to make your trip a pleasant and enjoyable experience.
Thanks to the internet, researching a destination has never been easier, but at the same time, never more difficult. Due to the massive amount of information that is found on various internet sites, such information can be as confusing to sift through as it is helpful. Another great benefit of using an online travel agency is that they will have already filtered this information for you.
This enables the traveler to make safe and practical choices regarding all aspects of the intended business trip or vacation. With said information from the online travel agency, practical choices such as what to pack, what to wear, places to avoid in the area of your chosen destination, and “must see” sites can all be determined by you. Through an online travel agency factors such as airport rules, fees and additional taxes will no longer be a surprise. Information regarding local customs can be provided to you and local hot spots during your excursions will be readily found. An online travel agency will be able to answer all of your questions and offer alternative suggestions based on the latest available information.
Another benefit of the online travel agency is that travel suppliers have been able to increase their visibility in the market place. Working with online travel agencies enables the suppliers to have their brand names seen by millions of consumers every week. The ease of tracking online sales also makes it possible for them to identify and target different markets, leading to more competitive rates in almost every section of the industry. Many travel suppliers work closely with online travel agencies for just this reason. This means savings for the traveler in addition to the convenience of planning a vacation or business trip online. The speed of the internet ensures that the information and rates needed are as up to date as possible.
The simplicity of comparison shopping online is truly remarkable. Rates are readily available from virtually every travel supplier at the click of the button on your mouse. Everything from flights, cruises, hotel accommodations, car rentals and more, can be compared online. The time involved in planning a business trip or vacation has been dramatically reduced. Every detail can be quickly checked to ensure that the traveler is obtaining the best possible value for their money. An online travel agency will do the homework for you and provide you with cost comparisons and options. Getting the biggest bang for your buck has never been simpler.
Special rates and deals are sometimes hard to find on the internet. Using an online travel agency gives you access to those rates instantly and with little effort. As these rates are offered by the suppliers, the online travel agency posts them to their website, keeping the shopper instantly informed. These special rates and deals often offer huge savings, and are usually available only online. Convenience, price comparisons and special rates combine to make using an online travel agency a truly smart decision when planning your next business trip or vacation.
Not only will you save money by using an online travel agency, you will also get different deals that are only available online. Many resorts and airlines offer online deals only to their online travel agent dealers and these incredible deals can be offered to you for choosing to do business with a select online travel agent.
Another benefit to online travel agencies is the ability to compare prices, packages and deals from one online agent to another to ensure that you are getting the best travel package at the best price. It is much quicker to compare online travel agencies from the comfort of your own home than it is to travel from agent to agent in the city.
Josh Webber is a freelance writer who writes about vacationing and working with a travel agency.
Some Important Tips To Remember While You Travel To India
India is one of the most sought after destination of the globe for vacation; it has all kinds of tourism that one can expect like pilgrimage tour, wildlife, yoga, theme tours, medical tours and many more such exciting tours. With such a variety of options available it is important that you decide on the places that you want to visit. As soon as you land in this country you will be greeted with warm hospitality. But before you make your much anticipated travel to India it is important that you follow some tips.
It is always important to book your travel through an India travel agent to have a very peaceful and hassle free travel. India is a vast country and there is lot many things to see and experience. It is always advisable that you consult with your India travel agent and discuss your budget and the places of your preference to the agent so that they can come up with a customised India tour packages for you. Since there are such wide varieties to explore, it literally becomes impossible to travel to India without a guide and your India travel agent double ups as your guide.
Before you travel to India , it is best that you do a thorough research on the net about the particular place that you want to visit. It is always better to know about the place that you are visiting. India is a land of diversity and home to various cultures and dialects, knowing about the place beforehand will always help you to have a smooth travel.
There are many religions which are followed in India like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Buddhism. Every religion has own faiths, believes and codes of conduct. Hence it is important that you know the codes of conducts before you visit places of religious importance. Ask your India travel agent to update you on the same. For example, if you visit a Gurudwara covering the head for both men and women is mandatory. As a tourist you might not know many such details, so always do a research on the net or else ask your India travel agent. Always plan your trip way ahead of your travelling date. It is better to book your travel way ahead as this would help you from last minute blunders. Many times it is a possibility that if you do last minute bookings you might not get hotel that you always desired to stay, specially if you are travelling during peak season. Hence book your trip well ion advance. Always set a budget for your vacation as this helps you to target exactly the kind of places and hotels that fits your budget moreover the India travel agency can also customise your entire trip within that budget.
The author is an eminent travel writer and is an expert in India tour packages and provides its readers with some handy tips on travel to India
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Las Vegas Travel
If you love the “city” or “urban” feel and if you prefer the nightlife and gambling, then Las Vegas may be just the place for you when you decide to travel next! Recently, my boyfriend’s brother took an all-expenses-paid-for trip to Las Vegas, Nevada for a business trip. When he came back, when we asked him how his trip went, he responded that it was “different” than any other place he had ever been to.
Often times, we will hear or read about Las Vegas in the news because of the celebrity couples who get married on a whim at the Chapel of Love. Recently, my own aunt stated to me that if she had to do it all over again and get married, she too would be making a bee line for Las Vegas. If you are thinking of making the trip out to Las Vegas, make sure that you do all of the research that you need to ahead of time. For instance, because there are so many attractions and things to see and do, you may feel slightly overwhelmed upon arriving in the famed city.
In most cases, if you are not a seasoned traveler to a place like Las Vegas, it can really help out to have an experienced person in your corner who knows their way around and can advise you on what hotels to stay at as well as what sorts of attractions you are interested in seeing. This kind of person is usually a travel agent of some sort. Contrary to what many people may believe, travel agents are great sources of information, as it is their job to familiarize themselves with particular areas of the country and/or the world. Often times, you will hear of couples who have just been married and are looking for interesting honeymoon spots, utilizing the services of a travel agent.
A travel agent is a great resource to use also if you are not really in the mood to sort of “do the leg work” of looking for a vacation destination for yourself. Simply tell them what sorts of things you are interested in seeing. In some cases, a travel agent will book the perfect vacation destination for you based on your personality and conversation. In some instances, this may even involve a suggestion for a trip to a totally different part of the country or world that you would have never thought to go to had it not been for the suggestion from a professional travel agent. And while fees may vary depending on the travel agent, most people who use one swear by them as it helps to ease a lot of the anxiety and burden of searching through countless flights, hotels and such.
Las Vegas has a lot to offer, but don’t let it overwhelm you. If you need help, look up a licensed travel agent to help you out or, failing that, ask around to see what sorts of places others have stayed at while wining and dining in the city of lights, glitz and glamour.
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