How has IATA responded?
One of the problems in the MENA market is there’s been double-digit growth over the last five years and due to increased sales, travel agents have had difficulty obtaining bigger securities through banks. It was suggested that IATA look into the possibility of default insurance and that process is ongoing. We’ve been looking at an insurance provider, but agents have to give us authority to provide certain information to the provider and that’s where the sticking point has come. However, given the current downturn and a reduction in sales, it may be that the pressure’s off a little. ATN: Do more self-service options take responsibility away from travel agents? The travel agent in the Middle East is still an integral part of the distribution system. In Europe you have many self-service options in terms of online booking, some of which are available here, but the vast majority of people are still utilising travel agents as their primary means of booking. We’re looking to improve the servi
