Responsible agents hold key to post-TCF era: MTA

Responsible agents hold key to post-TCF era: MTA
By admin


The managing director of Mobile Travel Agents, Roy Merricks, has expressed confidence that "responsible agents" will ensure the new Australian Federation of Travel Agents accreditation scheme will see clients protected.

Responding  to comments made by Travel Counsellors chairman, David Speakman, regarding the implementation of the new accreditation scheme, Merricks agreed that several “red flags” had been raised, particularly in regard to the on-charging of insurance costs to clients.

 But he was confident that agents operating in a responsible manner would "get it right” in order to safeguard clients in the post-TCF era.

 “Regardless of the winding up of the TCF, it has always been incumbent on responsible agents to ensure client’s monies are safeguarded as far as possible,” he said.

Although some question marks remain over the on-charging of insurance costs, practiced by some agents overseas, Merricks was convinced agents would take up the insurance solutions offered by the new Australia Federation of Travel Agents’ accreditation scheme.

 “It may well be a different scenario in other parts of the world where Mr Speakman’s organisation is active,” he said. “But I am confident here in Australia, intermediary and end supplier insurance will be taken up by responsible agents moving forward into the post-TCF environment.

Meanwhile, he welcomed the next phase of AFTA's process of consultation on the scheme which will see it take to the road for a second round of industry workshop – vital to help with "defusing and demystifying" the scheme, according to Merricks.

“All I can say is bring on the ATAS scheme and insurance options to protect us all – these are years overdue.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]