Asata nets big fish

THE Flight Centre Travel
Group (FCTG), including
its operations in Namibia,
has officially joined Asata.
Md of FCTG, Andrew Stark,
who had questioned the value
of the association earlier
this year (see TNW January
6/13), said the decision to
enter Asata came after he
realised that it offered the
group an opportunity to be
active in and engage with
other stakeholders on issues
that affect how the industry is
regulated.
“Being part of an
association like Asata is a
two-way street. It’s not only
about what the industry can
do for you, but also about
how you engage with and
what you put into that
organisation.”
“FCTG is probably one of
the most recognisable travel
brands to the consumer and
the fact that they are going
to be participants in Asata
is crucial in developing the
credibility and professionalism
of the industry,” says ceo of
Asata, Otto de Vries.
He says the agency’s
decision to join the
association should dispel
concerns around Asata’s
relevance for travel agents
operating in the leisure space.
“We’ve always contributed
in a meaningful manner to
all sectors within the travel
industry, including leisure, and
Flight Centre coming aboard
is a reflection of that.”
But Andrew says part
of the reason the group
has chosen to join the
organisation is because an
Asata membership gives
corporate clients the “stamp
of approval” many of them
seek when selecting a TMC
to serve their travel accounts.
Six years ago, 95% of FCTG’s
business came from the
leisure sector. “Currently,
our business is 60% leisure
and 40% corporate – and
our corporate business is
growing,” he says.
Asata measures the portion
of the travel industry it
represents through BSP sales,
and now with FCTG joining the
association, Asata’s industry
representation percentage
has moved from 88% to over
95%, says Otto. “We’re nearly
at 100% representation,” he
says.
“But, the stark reality is
that there are three big
businesses – Pentravel,
Wings Corporate Travel and
Travelstart – that are still
not members of Asata.” Otto
says the organisation is in
constant engagement with
these agencies about joining
the association. “We hope to
engage new ceo of Pentravel,
Paulo de Oliveira, early in
the new year about rejoining
Asata,” he says.
Pentravel exited Asata in
November 2015 after shop
managers felt that being an
Asata member did not give
them an advantage in the
leisure market (see TNW
November 25, 2015).
Paulo said it would be
premature to discuss whether
Pentravel would consider
joining Asata and that it would
be something that he would
need to discuss with the
members of the consortium
first.