Open Letter To ACTA Members
Mr. David McCaig
President and COO
Association of Canadian Travel Agencies – ACTA
328 – 2560 Matheson Blvd. E.
Mississauga, ON L4W 4Y9
November 30, 2009
Dear ACTA Members,
I believe it is time for the Retail Travel Industry Owners and Agents to take a hard look at the relationship that you have with Tour Operators/Wholesalers/Cruise Lines. We will all benefit if the focus is on providing an exceptional experience for the travel consumer and we all have a role to play in making that happen. We are stronger as partners than adversaries but for long term success, there must be a mutual respect and trust.
ACTA members are of the view that the scales have tipped and that some travel industry partners are failing to recognize and properly compensate travel agencies for the role they play in the travel purchase.
There are a number of questions that should be posed and issues that need to be reviewed. Some of those questions/issues are best addressed by ACTA; others need to be asked as part of determining your business strategies. The information that we collectively garner will hopefully assist in reaching more productive outcomes.
This is what is on my mind . . .
- Fuel Surcharges
- Why is the fuel surcharge not typically part of the base fare? After all, is fuel not part of the total product cost.
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Why is it that most tour operators/wholesalers who do have a fuel surcharge have an identical fuel surcharge of $90?
- A $90 fuel surcharge that is not part of the base fare and is included under 'taxes'