Luxury Escapes has removed itself as an NTIA finalist after choosing to withdraw from Australia’s Travel Agent accreditation scheme, ATAS.
The Lux Group Ltd voluntarily pulled out from ATAS on 1 July 2018, which included the termination of accreditation for Luxury Escapes, Scoopon Travel and Bon Voyage Travel.
As a result of this withdrawal, the group was also removed as a ‘Best Online Travel Agency’ finalist in this year’s National Travel Industry Awards.
In a statement to KARRYON, Luxury Escapes’ Managing Director, Adam Schwab, said that AFTA and ATAS have been “fantastic organisations for many years”, however, their position in the market has “diminished” and the company could no longer justify paying the “material fee increase”.
“We remain a proud member of IATA and will reconsider our membership of AFTA and ATAS in the future.”
Adam Schwab, Luxury Escapes Managing Director
Schwab continued, saying that the online agency group will continue to offer its customers and partners a “differentiated and customer-centric approach to travel retail”, which includes a curated selection of the “world’s best holidays” and a seven-day no questions ask ‘change of mind’ refund guarantee.
As Luxury Escapes is no longer accredited, AFTA said the company and its three brands aren’t eligible to be finalists in this year’s travel industry awards against other online agencies including Cruise Sale Finder, flybuys Travel, Global Journeys and TripADeal.
“In accordance with the NTIA Conditions of Entry (1.5) to be eligible in Category 9 a business must be ATAS accredited.”
AFTA
AFTA added that in addition to losing their finalist position, the Lux Group will need to remove any logo or reference to AFTA or ATAS from their website, business cards and marketing.
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