Abu Dhabi to host UFTAA board meeting

Abu Dhabi is to host the annual board meeting of the United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA), the global body representing travel and tourism agencies. This is the first time the annual meeting is being held here, and it will run from February 13 to 15, organisers said yesterday.

"It is an honour for Abu Dhabi and the UAE to host this prestigious meeting, especially when some other cities had bid to host it. It will put Abu Dhabi on the world map as the communiqué after the meeting will be distributed to 75,000 members of UFTAA worldwide," said Hani Khorsheed, Secretary-General, Abu Dhabi Travel and Tourism Agencies Committee (ATTAC).

The meeting will discuss next year's plans, the budget and issues affecting the travel and tourism industry worldwide. A seminar will take place to deliberate on the travel, tourism and airline industry.

"One of the major issues currently engaging the attention of UFTAA pertains to commission structuring. UFTAA is against the trend in the international market of depriving agents the seven per cent commission and instead giving them a service fee," said Khorsheed.

The Monaco-based UFTAA represents travel agent and tour operator views on inbound and outbound travel by continuous dialogue and consultation with other international organisations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Hotel and Restaurant Association, the International Union of Railways, the International Road Union and the International Chamber of Commerce.