ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE TRAVEL AGENTS

WORK PLAN 2014/2015

Key areas of Activity & Relevant Association Objectives

  1. Association Finances
  2. Membership
  3. Training
  4. Aviation Matters(Airlines , BAR , BSP , IATA)
  5. Major Tourism and Aviation Associations (ZTA , ZCT , CAAZ/NHS)
  6. Website
  1. ASSOCIATION FINANCES

Objective:

  • To apply subscription levels on a half yearly or annual basis sufficient to allow for the efficient running of the Association Secretariat and in addition to provide for surplus Association funds to allow the executive to achieve the objectives it has set for it self in this plan.
  • To ensure the efficient running of the new Independent AZTA Office.
  • To speak to the AZTA Lawyer about an Audit/Finance Committee that has been set up to monitor the Associations finances and if this could be drafted into our existing constitution.

Commentary:

A professional association of over 60 members needs a secretariat which takes care of assisting the executive in the day-to-day running of the association (financially and otherwise) and facilitates smooth communication between executive and members (website and newsletters).

The aim of the association is to fulfill all commitments to local (ZCT) and international organisations (IATA/UFTAA) that look after interests of our industry and travel agents.

Action:

  • Treasurer to produce actual 2013 Cashbook and 2014 budget for the financial year i.e. January – December to be sent out before a General Meeting.
  • Treasurer to participate in job description of secretariat.
  • Fulfill financial obligations to ZCT and UFTAA.
  1. MEMBERSHIP

Objectives:

  • To increase the membership of AZTA both full members, and associate members.
  • To contact and deal with Travel Agencies which are not AZTA Members but are still operating and displaying the AZTA Logo.
  • To define which category Independent Travel Consultants (ITC’s) fall under.
  • To ensure that all members have full details of AZTA recommended training courses.
  • Defined Membership criteria.
  • To ensure through our code of conduct Travel Agents perform in a professional manner.

Action:

  • To ensure there is a complete list, with all the contact details kept up to date at all times.Application forms, constitution, code of conduct as well as certificates of membership to be updated and distributed as and when required.
  • Inspection of each prospective member is required within two weeks of the application being received and a full report tabled at the next committee meeting for approval (or otherwise with reasons) and acceptance into AZTA. Once approved (or rejected with reasons) a letter, with invoice, to be sent within one week to the member advising them of the outcome of the committee’s decision and that payment is due within two weeks at which time their certificate will be sent out.
  • Approach to be made to any travel agent that may have just opened to encourage early membership application.
  • Register any defaulting staff fed into the AZTA data base according to the constitution.
  • Liaise with IATA to establish if there are any new licensed travel agents with a view to inviting them to join AZTA.
  • Request AZTA constitution and code of conduct to be included in all the travel consultants’ training.
  • Engage with ZTA to draw up documents for all new entrants that are ZTA registered to be AZTA registered.
  • Non-IATA and home-base agents to become development members without being IATA members.

3. TRAINING

Objectives:

  • To ensure that all members have full details of AZTA Recommended Training Courses that is available to members of the Association.
  • To invite both GDS’s to our General Meeting.
  • Make contact with all the training schools in Zimbabwe. Check with the Membership secretariat to establish if they are AZTA approved institutions and if not supply the details to the Membership secretary to follow up.
  • Once principals, ensure they send all their training courses with detail of the benefits, dates, content and price so they can be included in our web page or if urgent, flash through to our members.
  • Engage the learning institutions i.e. universities and colleagues to draw up appropriate curriculum relevant to travel agency operations.
  • Have a special training section on the AZTA web page.

Action:

  • Training committee member – presently Roxy Petker.
  • All training schools to work together.
  • Make contact with all the training schools in Zimbabwe. Check with the Membership secretariat to establish if they are AZTA approved institutions and if not supply the details to the Membership secretary to follow up.
  • Once principals, ensure they send all their training courses with detail of the benefits, dates, content and price so they can be included in our web page or if urgent, flash through to our members.
  • Have a special training section on the AZTA web page.

4. AVIATION MATTERS

Objectives:

  • To maintain constant dialogue and advocacy to all stakeholders with a view to informing our members of all the rules, regulations and conditions laid down by the authorities and suppliers. Ensure our transactions with the customer are professional, transparent and understood.

Action:

  • Liaise with all of the above in respect of development or change i.e. establishes the need to have a general meeting, workshop or training sessions.
  • Encourage dialogue with all the stakeholders in an open, transparent and objective manner. Feedback any change or concern to the committee at the monthly meeting or if a serious issue such as a default member, contact the Chairperson and/or Vice to alert and appraise them of the situation.
  • Encourage all of our suppliers to include AZTA in their open meetings and reciprocate the invitation.
  • Invite the airlines to our General Meeting.
  • Hold a JALWG meeting as necessary.

5. MAJOR TOURISM AND AVIATION ASSOCIATIONS (ZTC/ZTA)

Objectives:

  • Build a solid relationship with our authorities and maintain constant dialogue and communication.

Commentary:

Before attending any meetings, if time permits, table their agenda so decisions, requests, opinions and observations of our members can be tabled at their meetings. Attend their meetings and give feedback at the Committee meetings.

Action:

  • To set up meetings with them and address issues that we are currently facing and see how they are able to assist.

6. WEBSITE

Objective:

  • To keep the website updated with the current information and news from the principles etc. for the industry
  • Keep the website updated with member’s details
  • Continue encouraging more people – agents and principles to advertise on the Website
  • To keep the industry engaged by asking them what they would like to

have on the Website as well that will be useful for them.

  • Make the website user-friendly for the public to access information on accredited members

Action Plan:

  • Contact the members every so often for updated details.
  • Promote our website as a sales platform for both principles and agents

showing the professional caliber of agents in AZTA

  • To ensure all members pay their websiteadvertising subscriptions.
  • Continue encouraging the industry to advertise on the website – showing them thebenefits of doing so
  • Add consumer advice on booking through accredited agencies

CURRENT WEBSITE FEES

Free Membership listing

Side Banner: USD 60.00 for 6 months (190 x 346 pixels, *width to be no more than 190)

Bottom Banner: USD 80.00 for 6 months (650 x 150 pixels).

Banner Design: USD 40.00 (upload of the banner is free).

Corrections to existing listing: USD 5.00

* Subject to change without notice