The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) on Thursday morning hosted the Mombasa Industry meeting sponsored by Amadeus.
After welcoming remarks from KATA Board Director and Coast Liaison Ms. Rashida Pereira, the members were taken through crucial changes in the travel trade business affecting how business runs.
It was noted that the travel industry is undergoing change with the introduction of new initiatives that change the way business is done.
Amadeus Sales Manager Mr David Chipinde took the Mombasa travel agents through NDC (New Distribution Capability), a travel industry-supported program (NDC Program) which enhances the capability of communications between airlines and travel agents.
Mr Chipinde explained that NDC is the new distribution system that has been adopted by airlines urging that it was imperative that travel agents understand the process.
On the other hand, KATA Chief Executive Nicanor Sabula explained to the Mombasa team on the New Generation IATA Settlement System (New Gen ISS). Kenya is expected to transition to the new system in October 2019.
NewGen ISS is a program launched by International Air Transport Association (IATA) to offer a cost-effective financial settlement services and solutions to airlines and travel agents.
Mr Sabula informed the KATA members on how the new business model which facilitates the distribution and settlement of funds between travel agents and airlines would work and the requirements.
He assured the Mombasa agents that a team would visit countries that have already made the transition in order to learn from them.
“It is a crucial year for us in the industry as there are a number of changes happening. Some of them we have talked about so as to see how we prepare ourselves as they will impact our business,” Mr Sabula said.
Trainings, he said, are also important in order to ensure that all agents understand the system before October.
