Chairman Abe Graham & members agree on the first constitution

Negotiates off-season rates for airlines & steamship fares

First joint meeting with FEDHASA – 1963

Credit cards are introduced as a form of payment – 1966

SA is one of the first countries to introduce BSP

ASATA”s Indemnity Fund established

Wholesale Tour Operators bonding introduced

ASATA is granted a sole licence to operate a service for a member at Jan Smuts Airport

ASATA helps draft the controversial Travel Agents and Travel Agencies Act that would change the industry’s previous state of relative autonomy

Automation comes under the spotlight as Global Distribution Systems (GDS) are introduced

The Travel Agents and Travel Agencies Act passed – 1983

Increase in foreign exchange allowance is passed

Medical assistance is incorporated into ASATA’s “Travelsure” travel insurance policy sold exclusively by ASATA Members

ASATA negotiates for automatic ticket printers

ASATA secures a long-delayed IATA BSP 15 day settlement period

VAT is imposed on travel service

ASATA’s Business Practices Committee sets up a Consumer Code of Conduct for Travel Agents with the Department of Trade and Industry, which is passed into law – 1994

The Travel Education and Training Authority of SA (TETASA) holds its first AGM

Ongoing commission restructuring meetings are held with airlines and stakeholders

Consumer awareness campaign set to promote travel agents and their professional service

A new ASATA slogan registered ; ‘with us you’re never on your own.’

First franchise travel agency model is set up in SA

Worldwide e-ticketing introduced

ASATA puts measures in place to counteract the Millennium Bug ahead of 1 January 2000

ASATA helps formulated advertising guidelines on behalf of the travel industry

ASATA forms part of the 2004 committee to draft the BBEE Tourism Code

ASATA introduces various training initiatives

Government recommends the use of accredited ASATA travel agents or Travel Management Companies (TMCs) when tendering for business

National ASATA Showcase introduced

DTI engages ASATA’s expertise in the travel industry ahead of the new Consumer Protection Act (CPA)

ASATA hold forums and workshops around the country about the CPA

Internal e -Watch audit system launched to combat fraud

Fraud Advisory Forums held nationally to assist Members in fraud prevention

ASATA invited to give input on the UK Border Agency Business User Panel

ASATA introduces new funding model to strengthen financial position

ASATA Forums launches it’s multi-year strategy of Compliance, Consensus and Confidence

ASATA successfully engages the Department of Home Affairs, together with other industry stakeholders, to secure a 12-month deferment of the implementation of the regulation that requires and under-18’s carry unabridged birth certificates when travel to and from South Africa.

ASATA CEO receives the prestigious Business Traveller Africa, Business Travel Personality of years for his work on done representing the travel industry with Home Affairs on the amendments to the Immigration Act

ASATA embarked on a ground-breaking study to define what the 21st Century Travel Agent looks like and how travel businesses would need to change to remain sustainable in the future

ASATA becomes the chair of World Travel Agent Associations Alliance

ASATA concluded a study into the (self) regulation of the travel industry

ASATA recognised by South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) as a professional body

ASATA hosts inaugural Innovation Summit

ASATA hosts Travel Summit

ASATA secures deferment of Monthly Remittance at PACONF