Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Related legislation
are important incentives when deciding which
accommodation to choose or which airline to fl y
with. Points and rewards earned while travelling on
business can be used for free or discounted fl ights and
accommodation in their leisure time. Hotel companies
often team up with airlines to offer joint reward
schemes, for example Hilton Hotels' HHonors scheme
has more than 40 airlines, including British Airways,
Qatar Airways and American Airlines.
As well as having to comply with the many laws and
regulations governing the running of a travel business
in the UK, business travel agents must adhere to specifi c
legislation such as that concerning data protection and
the regulation of package travel.
Data Protection Act
Activity 10.5
Staff working in business travel have a duty to store
information on clients safely and securely, using it
only for the purpose for which it was gathered in the
fi rst place. Like many businesses, travel agencies
must comply with the Data Protection Act, which also
covers the appropriate use of information held about
members of staff. Complying with the Data Protection
Act means following a set of data protection principles,
which include only keeping information for as long as
is necessary, making sure that it is securely stored in
electronic or paper-based form and ensuring that data
is not sold or given to another company or individual
for any purpose.
Carry out some research into the promotional
schemes offered by one hotel company and one
airline. Compile a fact sheet on each scheme with full
details of how the scheme operates and the rewards
on offer.
This activity is designed to provide evidence for P2.
Service level agreements and working
to company and passenger proi le
European Union (EU) Package Travel
Regulations 1992
Sound fi nancial and account management systems are
an essential ingredient of a successful business travel
agency. Senior managers must ensure that procedures
and documentation are in place to ensure effective
account management, especially in relation to:
The main aim of the EU Package Travel, Package
Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992 is to give
people buying package holidays more protection and
access to compensation when things go wrong, while at
the same time harmonising the rules covering packages
operated throughout European Union countries. In the
normal course of events, travel agents are not bound
by the requirements of the Regulations, since they are
not the 'organiser' of the package, but the 'retailer'.
The Regulations defi ne these terms as follows:
1.
Service level agreements - these are the contracts
between agents and clients, giving details of agreed
levels of business, rates and payment schedules;
2.
Management information - regular and accurate
data is needed on sales volumes and costs in order
to be able to make informed business decisions;
3.
Payment and accounts procedures - must ensure
that payments are made and received in line with
agreed credit periods so as to control cash fl ow;
•
Organiser - the person who, other than occasionally,
organises packages and sells or offers them for sale,
whether directly or through a retailer;
4.
Company and passenger profi les - these are
essential for agency staff to be able to provide the
correct products and the best standards of service
to clients.
•
Retailer - the person who sells or offers for sale the
package put together by the organiser.
In the UK travel and tourism sector the organiser will
normally be a tour operator and the retailer a travel
agent. There may, however, be occasions when a travel
