Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) on Friday hosted a breakfast meeting for its members at the Trademark Hotel in Village Market Nairobi that was sponsored by Amadeus.
Top on the agenda at the meeting was IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) and the New Generation IATA Settlement Scheme NEWGEN ISS that is set to be introduced in Kenya this year. KATA members got to interact with both organisations while learning about the new trends in the travel market today.
In his opening remarks, KATA Chairman Mr. Mohammed Wanyoike reminded members that Kenya is expected to migrate to the New Generation of IATA Settlement Systems in October this year.
The program, that has already been rolled out in several countries in the world including neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania was launched by IATA to deliver faster, safer and more cost effective and relevant financial settlement services and solutions to airlines and travel agents that rely on the IATA Settlement Systems (ISS).
“We need to prepare adequately for this transition in order to make the migration seamless. That is why KATA CEO Mr Nicanor Sabula and I will travel to learn more from Nigeria, who are already on NewGen ISS. We hope to bring back valuable lessons from this trip,” the Board Chairman said.
The Chairman further notified members of the Annual KATA Convention to be held in September this year.
He welcomed the members and urged them to turn up for the two-day event which will have a lot of learning forums.
Also speaking during the event was Amadeus Managing Director, East Africa Mr Mathieu Dutrisac who took the KATA members through a session on New Distribution Capability Program (NDC).
NDC was launched by IATA as a communication protocol for the travel industry. NDC is a travel industry- supported program that enhances the capability of communications between airlines and agents.
Mr Dutrisac noted that a lot has to be done to realise the full potential of NDC but assured the travel agents that the program will drive the travel industry forward.
KATA CEO Mr Sabula unpacked NewGen ISS for the travel agents explaining the process in full detail.
He informed the members of the forthcoming NewGen ISS training that is scheduled to be held on July 29 jointly with IATA and urged all members to attend.
