Travel Agents Association of New Zealand

number of benefits to its members as part of their recognition under the organisation. They include: Professionalism and Standards (active engagement in training, standards, and qualifications), Media (exclusive TAANZ Talk messaging, information and trade-specific opinions), Tool Kit (resources applicable to legal knowledge, consumer analytics, membership specifics, and business development), Traveller Awareness (promotion of travel agents, cooperative advertising, public awareness, and value understanding), Financial Services (to facilitate IATA bonding requirements) Advocacy, Events (yearly AGM and agency summit), Recognition and Reward (National Travel Industry Awards), and Service (membership support and communications). The organisation has a clear Constitution and Membership Rules back by their Code of Ethics and Practice to ensure all members remain dedicated to the cause and conduct themselves accordingly. TAANZ President Brent Thomas elaborates on the positive effect that TAANZ has had on New Zealand’s travel industry. “TAANZ was formed as a response to the lack of government regulation in New Zealand. We are a self-regulating industry here, so there was a need for travel agents to belong to an organisation that sets some ground rules as to how they should operate their businesses, particularly in financial areas such as the handing of consumer funds. Over time, we have seen just how well the measures we have put in place work. New Zealand now sees very few issues with our certified travel agents, for example, it is stated within our member rules that client funds must be kept separate from the working capital of the business. So protection of consumer funds has significantly improved, which has in turn boosted the confidence and trust customers have in us as an industry.” TAANZ currently supports 221 full (travel agents, travel brokers, and tour operators) and branch (industry suppliers and associates) company members across New Zealand. Having experienced a drop in membership as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Thomas shares that open communication and industry support is now more important than ever. “Membership numbers have lessened by about a third, given that a number of entities have had to close their doors, but the really concerning statistic is that we have lost two thirds of our industry staff here in New Zealand- we have gone from upwards of 5,000 to around 1,500 staff members in the country. That’s a very significant impact from their perspective and for the travel sector as well; it would be a struggle to find another industry that has been as negatively impacted as ours has around the world. So for us, it has become incredibly important to stay in regular contact with our remaining members and support them as best we can. We have focussed heavily on encouraging domestic travel where possible to supplement sector income from our own backyard.” TRAVEL AGENTS ASSOC I AT ION OF NEW ZEALAND ( TAANZ)