BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan) Kenya will on October 16, 2019 migrate from Resolution 818g to the NewGen ISS (New Generation IATA Settlement Scheme) Passenger Sales Agency Rules under Resolution 812.

According to Head, IATA Customer Service Center, MAD Ms Sara Hernández Horlock, the NewGen Programme will create more flexible, secure and customer centric BSP for both travel agents and airlines.

The system, she further said, has three components which are;

• New Agency Accreditation models ( GoLite, GoStandard and GoGlobal);
• An enhanced risk management framework, including the Remittance Holding

Capacity (RHC) which establishes a maximum threshold for Agent’s outstanding BSP Cash sales; and

• IATA EasyPay, a new and optional e-wallet solution for payment of tickets through the BSP.

The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has been at the forefront in informing and educating its members on the new system.

KATA has this year reached out through industry meetings in various parts of the country in a bid to have the members informed on the transition.

The Association in partnership with IATA Nairobi Office have also scheduled NewGen ISS and IBSP Workshop to be held on July 29, 2019 at the Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi. This is part of the preparations towards the transition later this year.

The program has already been rolled out in several countries in the world including neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania and is expected 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).

Speaking at a previous event, KATA Board Chairman Mr Mohammed Wanyoike said, “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”.

With the implementation of Resolution 812, all agents will be transitioned to the GoStandard Accreditation with the ability to convert to the GoLite Accreditation. No action is required.

All Agents will also be assigned their individual Remittance Holding Capacity, Risk Status and any applicable Financial Security requirements under Resolution 812. These conditions will be notified in advance of the introduction of the new Resolution 812.

Furthermore, All Agents will be able to issue transactions using IATA EasyPay, the new e-wallet solution.

IATA urged all airlines and agents to download Resolution 812 to familiarise themselves with the new rules and requirements before the roll out date in October.

For more information on NewGen ISS and the different programme components, please visit our website at http://newgeniss.iata.org/.

The Travel and Tourism sector should unite and stand together in order to have a greater impact in the industry, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Hon. Najib Balala has said.

Mr Balala urged the industry players including the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) to combine forces and engage the government to make the industry more robust.

He was speaking during an office opening ceremony at the KATA offices at The Address in Westlands held on July 31.

“Our national tourism strategy blue print is to see as the government, a unity of purpose for the industry. All you guys (sic) in the industry should be united and stand together so that the government can hear you,” he said.

He further emphasised on the need to have licensing system that will help streamline travel agents and tour operators in the industry. This, he said, is a system that is operational in many countries across the world.

“My wish is to have a licensing system whereby one cannot belong to the trade without being a member of an association,” Mr Balala stated.

He lauded KATA for the bold move to invest in an office space terming them as a formidable association in the travel industry. “We are very proud of your achievement to own your own home,” he said.

Also speaking during the event, KATA Board Chairman Mr Mohammed Wanyoike narrated the over 10 years journey that the association took to own new premises highlighting the highs and lows of the journey.

“We are proud and happy to have honoured the KATA founders who always hoped we would one day own our office. Arriving at a decision was not easy as there were many varying opinions regarding the best way to acquire an office for KATA.

The event was graced by members of the Association, board members, Chief Executive Mr Nicanor Sabula, industry partners among others.

KATA represents the interests of Travel Agents in Kenya and it is Kenya’s largest membership organisation for Travel Agents.