What We Do
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- What We Do
Representing our members’ interests and championing a resilient, forward-thinking industry.
Providing advocacy, insights, training programs, compliance guides, and networking opportunities to help our members grow sustainably and serve with confidence.
Connecting travel businesses to drive collaboration, knowledge sharing and collective growth.
Promoting ethical conduct, professionalism, and high-quality service across the travel sector.
Choosing an ASATA-vetted travel professional ensures peace of mind with the highest standards of expertise and service.
The Agency Programme Joint Council (APJC) is a consultative body within IATA’s Passenger Agency Programme, established at a national or regional level. Its main role is to provide recommendations on policies and procedures related to travel agents’ accreditation, financial requirements, and settlement systems like BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan). ASATA is the recognised association of travel agents in South Africa and appoints and guides the travel agency representatives to the council.
The Passenger Agency Programme Global Joint Council (PAPGJC) is a collaborative body established under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to oversee and manage aspects of the Passenger Agency Programme that pertain to the relationship between airlines and travel agents. Its primary purpose is to provide a forum for consultation on Conference decisions. As a founding member of the World Travel Agents Association Alliance (WTAAA), ASATA has been a representative to the PAPGJC for over 15 years.
The National Treasury TMC Forum was established by National Treasury and ASATA to facilitate engagements on matters that impact the industry that fall under National Treasury purview. This has included interventions around the now-defunct National Travel Procurement Framework and the proposed E-Travel Solution for government travel bookings; government travel procurement policies, advocating support for non-payment of services rendered by members, and encouraging the adoption of lodged cards for all government departments.
ASATA actively engages with both institutions on matters that impact the travel industry. This includes VAT issues, including supporting the legal challenge against SARS’ interpretation of the application of 0% rating on international travel, which was successfully concluded in 2022. More recently, we are in discussions with the Reserve Bank on delivering clarity and guidance around requirements from financial service providers who facilitate cross-border payments.
ASATA, both directly and through the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), engages the NDT on diverse matters, from the transformation of the sector to commenting on the draft Regulatory Framework on Tourism and Travel-Related Services. We are also in bilateral discussions on the professionalisation strategy for the tourism sector.
Our engagements with the CGSO have resulted in the successful integration of travel-related consumer complaints into the ombuds remit. Our collaboration has resulted in ASATA delivering a definitive guide to members on how the CGSO works, what role the travel agent plays in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, a best practice guide, and a framework for better terms and conditions that protect travel agents and their customers.
Take a look at our Press Room to see the latest industry developments, advocacy efforts, and how we’re shaping the future of travel. Stay informed with our thought leadership articles, media engagements, and success stories from our members.
