4 | TRAVEL AGENTS AND THEIR ROLE Travel agent consultant must not only love travel but also working with people. A travel agent spends much of her time talking with clients on the phone or meeting with them in person. A professional, polished appearance is also imperative for a travel agent consultant. Make yourself a competitive standout in your industry by becoming a specialist on a particular part of the world. Travel agent consultants are hospitality industry professionals who help customers plan travel experiences. Travel agent consultants do not just book airline tickets. cruises and all-inclusive vacations; the modern travel agent is a consultant who may specialize in particular regions of the world and has an intimate knowledge of the industry. The consultant advises customers on prices, options and must-sceBBA Airline and Airport Management attractions in parts of the world. Like a well-trained real estate agent or other s professional, travel agent consultant gets to know their clients and learn their needs Types There are many types of travel agents. Some work independently, others for agencies. Their roles will differ based on these distinctions. Independent travel agents may diversify options for you more whereas agencies will promote what the agency offers or has available. Function The function of the travel agent is to basically make life easier for you. They should find the best flight and itinerary to fit your needs and book them for you. They should find hotels that match your specifications and book them for you. They should also provide information about activities and events at your destination and offer you advance booking services. Duties will include: “* Arranging flights, insurance and accommodation Using a booking system to secure holidays “+ Collecting and processing payments Advising clients on travel arrangements, e.g. visas and passports Sending out tickets to clients ‘+ Keeping clients up to date with any changes “+ Dealing with complaints or refunds (not one of the perks, but someone's got to do it)al (Travel & Tourism Organizations The Travel and Tourism industry is composed of many sectors, each of which have different interest. International Travel & Tourism Organizations’ play a major role in advancing the interests of the Travel Industry. Associations have the common goal of identifying the needs of their members and working to meet them. They provide forums for discussions of common issues, lobby for industry causes, especially those that promote the industry’s interests and allow members from different parts of the world to net work and learn from one another, The following are some of the major global Travel & Tourism organizations. (( tstesnational Air Transport Associations (IATA) Founded in 1945, IATA is the global representation of the international scheduled air transport industry. Airlines fount IATA to help to meet the problems anticipated in the expansion of civil air services after Second World War. With over 260 members from almost 140 nations, IATA is the prime vehicle for inter-airline co operation in promoting reliable and secure air services. ~—— Aims of IATA » To Promote safe, regular and economic air transport for the benefit of the people of the world to foster air commerce and to study the problem connected there. > To provide means for collaboration among air transport enterprises engaged directly or indirectly in international air transport service. » To co operate with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other International Organization. IATA was involved in establishing a sound technical and legal frame work for the operation of the world’s airlines. It organized the first -worldwide Traffic Conference in 1947 which worked out agreements related fare construction rules for multi-sector trips, revenue allocation prorating rules, baggage allowances, ticket and air way bill design and agency appointment procedures. IATA is also the co coordinator of Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreements that allow nearly 300 airline around the world to accept each other’s tickets and airway bills and thus their Paw a cargo traffic on a reciprocal basis. In 1952, the pattern for airline-trav. i vi the introduction of the Standard Paschaet Sue heey roe eae There are now nearly 81,000 IATA agents worldwide :“ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) “After the World War II, the rapid increase in international air transport led to many problems because of lack of proper regulations to govern air space use. In November 1944 a convention was held to discuss and sort out various issues. These conventions, which were attended by delegates from 54 countries in Chicago, later came to be known as “Chicago Convention”. The “Chicago Convention” led to the formation of ICAO in 1945, ICAO came under the United Nation Organization and ICAO membership is generally open to the members of United Nations Organization. The Headquarters of ICAO is situated at Montreal in Canada. In addition, main objectives of ICAO are: “ Ensuring safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation, *% Avoid discrimination between contracting states and Promote safety of flight in international navigation” Chicago Convention The Chicago Convention governs relations between states on both technical and commercial matters, which include: Flying over territory of contracting states (air services, customs, rule of the air, spread of diseases etc.,,) Nationality of aircraft, facilitation (customs, accident investigation etc. Documents (recognition of certificates and license, etc.,) International standards and practices those for carriage of dangerous goods etc.Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) The Travel Agents Association of India was formed in 1951 by a group of leading travel agent to protect the interest of those engaged in the industry, to promote its orderly growth and development to safeguard the travelling public from exploitation. In addition, maintain high ethical standards with n the travel trade. Head Quarter is in Mumbai, Regional office in Chennai, Calcutta and Delhi.Commercial aviation is the part of civil aviation (both general aviation and scheduled airline services) that involves operating aircraft for hire to transport passengers or multiple loads of cargo. Route map of the world’s scheduled commercial airline traffic, 2009An air taxi is a small commercial aircraft which makes short flights on demand." A DHC-6 Twin Otter of Maldivian Air Taxi In 2001 air taxi operations were promoted in the United States by a NASA and aerospace industry study on the potential Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) and the rise of light jet aircraft manufacturing.) since 2016, air taxis have reemerged as part of the burgeoning field of personal air vehicles, such as passenger drones.) « Regulation o In Canada, air taxi operations are regulated by Transport Canada under Canadian Aviation Regulation 703. The Canadian definition of air taxi includes all commercial single engined aircraft, multi-engined helicopters flown byA Regulation ¢ In Canada, air taxi operations are regulated by Transport Canada under Canadian Aviation Regulation 703. The Canadian definition of air taxi includes all commercial single engined aircraft, multi-engined helicopters flown by day visual flight rules by one pilot and all multi-engined, non-turbo-jet aircraft, with a maximum take-off weight 8,618 kg (18,999 Ib) or less and nine or fewer passenger seats, that are used to transport people or goods or for sightseeing."4] In the US, air taxi and air charter operations are governed by Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), unlike the larger scheduled air carriers which are governed by more stringent standards of FAR Part 121,!5Private operators were allowed to provide air transport services. However, no foreign airline could directly or indirectly hold equity in a domestic airline company. By 1995, several private airlines had ventured into the aviation business and accounted for more than 10 percent of the domestic air traffic. Today, Indian aviation industry is dominated by private airlines and these include low cost carriers, who have made air travel affordable. The Government nationalized nine airline companies vide the Air Corporations Act, 1953. These government-owned airlines dominated Indian aviation industry till the mid-1990s. In April 1990, the Government adopted open-sky policy and allowed air taxi- operators to operate flights from any airport, both on a charter and a non charter basis and to decide their own flight schedules, cargo and passenger fares. As part of its open sky policy in 1994, the Indian Government ended the monopoly of IA and Al in the air transport services. Private operators were allowed to provide air transport services. However, no foreign airline could directly or indirectly hold equity in a domestic airline company. Byair transport services. However, no foreign airline could directly or indirectly hold equity in a domestic airline company. By 1995, several private airlines had ventured into the aviation business and accounted for more than 10 percent of the domestic air traffic. Today, Indian aviation industry is dominated by private airlines and these include low cost carriers, who have made air travel affordable. © Registration of civil aircraft. ¢ Formulation of standards of airworthiness for civil aircraft registered in India and grant of certificates of airworthiness to such aircraft. Licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and flight engineers, and conducting examinations and checks for that purpose. ° Licensing of air traffic controllers. © Certification of aerodromes and CNS/ATM facilities.° Granting of Air Operator's Certificates to Indian carriers and regulation of air transport services operating to/from/within/over India by Indian and foreign operators, including clearance of scheduled and non-scheduled flights of such operators. © Conducting investigation into accidents/incidents and taking accident prevention measures including formulation of implementation of Safety Aviation Management programmes. © Carrying out amendments to the Aircraft Act, the Aircraft Rules and the Civil Aviation Requirements for complying with the amendments to ICAO Annexes, and initiating proposals for amendment to any other Act or for passing a new Act in order to give effect to an international Convention or amendment to an existing Convention.Coordination at national level for flexi- use of air space by civil and military air traffic agencies and interaction with ICAO for provision of more air routes for civil use through Indian air space. Keeping a check on aircraft noise and engine emissions in accordance with ICAO Annex 16 and collaborating with the environmental authorities in this matter, if required. Promoting indigenous design and manufacture of aircraft and aircraft components by acting as a catalytic agent. Approving training programmes of operators for carriage of dangerous goods, issuing authorizations for carriage of dangerous goods, etc.C4. IATA Areas, Sub areas, geography, global indicator IATA AREAS For fare construction purpose IATA has divided the world into three Traffic Conference Areas (viz. Area 1,2 & 3) Area 1 The entire North and South American Continents and the adjacent islands. Central America Greenland / Bermuda The West Indies and the Islands in the Caribbean Sea The Hawaiian Islands including Midway and Palmyra Area2 All of Europe and the adjacent islands The part of Russian Federation West of Ural Iceland The Azores All of Africa and adjacent islands The part of Asia lying west of Ural and including Iran eeoe Area 3 All of Asia and adjacent islands, except the portion included in Area 2 The part of Russian Federation east of Urals All of the East Indies, Australia and New Zealand © The islands of Pacific Ocean except those included in Area 1 IATA SUB-AREAS The IATA areas are further divided into various Sub-areas. European and African sub-areas are still classified into regions. TC1 subareas © North Atlantic Sub-area © Mid Atlantic Sub-area © South Atlantic Sub area ee 0 TC 2 subareas e Europe © Africa Middle East TC 3 subareas © South East Asia (S.E.A) * South Asian sub - continent (S.A.S.C) Japan & Korea (J/K) South West Pacific (S.W.P)COUNTRY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION IATA SUB-AREA | | Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia Africa Europe Egypt, Sudan Africa Middle East Turkey(Asian Part, ANC) Asia Europe GLOBAL INDICATORS AT : Via the Atlantic Ocean Eg. ROM-AZ-LON-BA-NYC PA Via the Pacific Ocean Eg. SFO-UA-TYO-JL-HKG AP Via both Atlantic & Pacific Eg. HKG-JL-TYO-UA-SFO-UA-NYC-BA-LON PN Between South America and South West Pacific Via North America Eg. SYD-QF-LAX-CO-BUE EH Routing within Area 2 or Area 3 or between Area 2 and Area 3 Eg. JNB-SA-ZRH-SR-AMS (Within Area 2) POM-SQ-SIN-AI-BOM-AF-PAR (Between Area 2&3) WH Routing entirely within Area 1 Eg. BUE-AR-RIO-RG-PTY Ts Journey between are 2 & 3 with nonstop flight between Europe and Japan & Korea Eg. LIS-WT-ROM-AZ-MOW-SU-TYO-JL-MNL MOW-LH-FRA-JL-TYO RU Between Russia in Europe and Area 3 with nonstop flight between Russia and Japan/Korea Eg. LED-SU-MOW-SU-OSA-JL-NAN FE Between Russia in Europe, Ukraine and Area 3 with non-stop service Between Russia in Europe, Ukraine and TC 3 other than Japan/korea Eg. SIN-SQ-BOM-SU-MOW SA Between South Atlantic subarea and South East Asia via the Atlantic and only via Central/Southern Africa/Indian Ocean Islands or via direct flight. Eg. SIN-SQ-MRU-SA-JNB-SA-SAO_)