ATAB calls for removal of syndicates, issues 9-point demand

The Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) has put forward a nine-point demand that includes the formulation of guidelines on group ticketing and measures to stop hoarding and syndicates in air ticket sales.

It also sought the formulation of appropriate regulations for managing online travel agency (OTA) businesses.

"The expansion of the travel agency business has created opportunities. But it also brought challenges like discrimination and irregularities among the businesses," said ATAB President Abdus Salam Aref at a press conference held at a Dhaka hotel on Saturday.

"Immediate steps must be taken to stop the provision of incentives against the collection of hundreds of crores of taka in advance under the guise of air ticket sales," he added.

It is crucial to issue guidelines by the concerned ministry to prevent trade discrimination by ensuring that travel agencies cannot display, advertise, sell, or market tickets at prices lower than the airlines' rates, said the president of ATAB, which represents nearly 4,000 government-registered travel agencies.

"Measures must be taken to stop the operation and sale of air tickets and travel-related services by unregistered fake agencies," he added.

Aref said no travel agent, tour operator, or establishment without a licence should be provided with a login ID by online travel agencies (OTAs), and this should be directed and monitored.

"It should be made mandatory to mention the agency's name, contact phone number, and the price on the ticket. Foreign websites/APIs must be blocked from illegally operating businesses in Bangladesh," he added.

The ATAB president said passengers who purchased tickets from third countries (other than the country of departure and destination, such as India, Dubai, and Singapore) should be prevented from boarding at Bangladeshi airports.

"This will stop the sale of tickets and the outflow of money from third countries," he added.

ATAB Secretary General Afsia Jannat Saleh and Vice President Mustafizur Rahman Hero were also present during the press conference.