Officials at the event. Qassim Rahmatullah
BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Local tour and travel operators who are not members of International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade association of over 240 airlines which look after the interests of businesses and consumers, may soon be taken to task for creating “unhealthy competition” by not following standard practices, according to industry leaders.
Non-IATA operators may be asked to join IATA within a timeframe or exit air ticketing business, with most leading tour and travel operators putting pressure on authorities to ensure healthy competition.
According to experts, there are over 170 tour and travel agencies in Qatar of which nearly 65 are IATA members and comply with standards. As part of Qatar’s efforts to develop a vibrant tourism industry, authorities are trying to address challenges faced by travel agencies such as payment delays, Cheque bounces and other legal difficulties.
The Tourism Committee of Qatar Chamber (QC) yesterday held its first meeting with owners of local travel agencies at its headquarters to discuss their problems and obstacles.
Over 50 representatives from agencies and airlines, including Qatar Airways and Gulf Air, attended the meeting chaired by Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmad Al Thani, Head of the committee.
They discussed problems for more than two hours, and it was agreed that a formal organisation needs to be set up to ensure a competitive business environment.
“We are establishing a formal association of local travel agencies which will work in coordination with concerned organisations, including QC, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA),” said Sheikh Hamad. QTA board members and representatives from other organisations will meet today. Once formed, the association is expected to set a timeframe for non-IATA members to join IATA or quit air booking.
“Very soon we are going to have an association which will help address most problems and obstacles faced by the industry,” said Ahmed Hussain, Chairman of Doha-based Tourist Travel Bureau. Some non-IATA affiliated agencies protested the idea of joining the regulatory body, saying “it’s a sheer wastage of resources”.
“The funds that are required to deposit with IATA can be used for other useful purposes,” said the CEO of a private jet service provider.
Wael Matar, Country Manager of Gulf Air; Yousuf Al Darwish, Chairman, Rayan Travels and Tours; Ayman Morrar, General Manager, Aamal Travel and Tour; Amira Ayyad, Ticketing and Tourism Consultant, Al Deera Travels, and others from the industry attended the meeting.
“Stealing” of businesses by non-IATA travel agencies and lack of an effective grievance redressal body, insurance system and absence of trained staff at new entrants, were some of the issues discussed. “Incase of bad debt, there should be some system in place ti ensure payment-guarantee as the existing system (post-dated cheques from clients) is not effective,” said a participant.
He suggested that there should be an information sharing mechanism about credit history of clients and defaulters so that others do not fall prey to such customers. “Over the last four-five years rentals have increased manifold. The increasing number of non-IATA agencies has worsened the situation, as a result it has become very difficult to survive,” rued another agent. The Peninsula
