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· Tanzania Society of Travel Agents (TASOTA) has urged its members to settle payments as refunds to travelers according to agreements entered into with concerned parties citing that there was no relief or extension given by IATA due to covid-19 pandemic
· Failure to settle payment and refund of air tickets at this time, the organization said, may result in cancellation of license to operate since IATA (International Air Transport Association) has not issued a waiver yet
Tanzania Society of Travel Agents (TASOTA) has urged its members to settle payments to the airlines and refunds to travelers according to agreements entered into with concerned parties citing that there was no relief or extension given by IATA due to covid-19 pandemic. TASOTA was expecting a relief from IATA, which they thought would come to their rescue for delaying the payments to the airlines.
Failure to settle payment and refund of air tickets at this time, the organization said, may result in cancellation of license to operate since IATA (International Air Transport Association) has not issued a waiver yet. Travel agents are bound to pay IATA with either a seven or fourteen-day cycle. Since the airline industry faced a difficult time during the pandemic, local agents are advised to adhere with rules set by their international body, notwithstanding the difficulties being faced by them.
TASOTA also urged all travelers to pay for their ticket in full according to stipulated agreement with their agents, before looking for refund. However IATA has extended the timeframe for receipt of refunds and now takes 60 to 90 day
Over 40 IATA accredited travel agencies are active members of TASOTA and are bound to honor the stipulation ethical and professional codes. Overall, IATA estimates that the coronavirus outbreak will lower airline revenues by US$ 252 billion this year. Air ports are also going to be severely hit. In many countries, airlines are looking at the respective governments to extend a bail out plan. In which way, travel agents and travelers will help from such packages should be seen.
