UFTA's new regional official aims to develop travel trade

Abu Dhabi: Hani Khorsheed has been appointed Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa of the Universal Federation of Travel Agents (UFTA). He becomes the first from the Gulf region to assume this post.

Based in Monaco, UFTA has 850,000 members globally and aims to safeguard the interests of travel agents, airlines and the travel trade worldwide. UFTA also works closely with IATA and other organisations such as World Tourism Organisation.

Khorsheed, who is also the Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Travel and Tourism Agencies Committee (ATTAC) spoke to Gulf News yesterday.

Gulf News: What does this new position mean to the region and for the travel trade that you represent?

Hani Khorsheed: It is an honour to be on the board of UFTA which is world body. I have been appointed as deputy director for Region 7, which is the MENA region. Our aim is to help develop the travel trade and protect the interests of the travel agents. Since UFTA works closely with IATA, any issue relating to the travel trade will be taken up. Currently, there are many issues that are engaging the attention of UFTA and IATA such as zero commission, e-ticketing, bank settlement plan and so on.

Is e-ticketing catching on here?

There are a lot of people who are using the Internet these days to book their tickets and by the end 2006, at least European airlines are aiming to achieve 100 per cent e-ticketing. Here, travel agents are undertaking both, e-ticketing as well as telephone booking and the issuing of an airline ticket. The IT mechanisms are being put in place and that will take time.

How is the zero commission system working in Abu Dhabi?

There is a system of commission in place and travel agents have the support of the Ministry of Communications and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Since January this year, travel agents have been allowed to mark up the fare by 7 per cent (including taxes) as service charges only for those airlines that have opted for the zero commission policy. These are mainly European airlines.

How is it with the UAE's airlines?

Etihad and Emirates have decided to offer seven per cent commission on the total fare (including tax) to travel agents but Gulf Air gives seven per cent on the fare (excluding tax). We expect some kind of uniformity in commission soon.

What plans does ATTAC have for 2006?

We have 250 members from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. We have lined up several activities for the year. Soon there will be a workshop for BSP (bank settlement plan) implementation for travel agents in Abu Dhabi. In March there will be a lecture by a senior UFTA official.