ASATA issues letter to IATA: SAA Refunds and SA Airlink
ASATA has issued the following letter to IATA regarding SAA refunds and SA Airlink: SAA have distributed the attached notice to the trade regarding their “refund” policy. You will note that there is no provision for any refund, either through the GDS or BSPLink, and, I quote: “SAA would like to inform you of the […]
Insurance Chat: ASATA rejects government statement that travel agents are exploiting travellers in COVID-19 lockdown
The Association of Southern African Travel Agents (ASATA) has noted the comments made by Government publicly that travel agents are allegedly forcing travellers to “buy another ticket when they are already a holder of a ticket to travel”. We take exception to the comments made by South African Minister of International Relations Dr. Naledi Pandor […]
Times Live: Travel agents lash out over stranded passengers, while SA man in Malaysia hopes for flight
A South African, who found himself in no man’s land at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia last week because of a Covid-19 lockdown, has cautiously welcomed SA’s plans to repatriate South Africans stranded overseas. This comes as the Association of Southern African Travel Agents (Asata) has hit back at government assertions that travel […]
IOL Travel: ASATA to government: ‘Travel agents are not exploiting travellers in Covid-19 lockdown’
The Association of Southern African Travel Agents (ASATA) has refuted claims that travel agents were exploiting travellers during the Covid-19 lockdown. CEO ASATA Otto de Vries spoke about the comments made by South African Minister of International Relations Dr Naledi Pandor on Tuesday when she called on travel agents not to “exploit” travellers and asked […]
Engineering News: Travel agents not to blame for disruptions, refund issues − Asata
Travel agency representative forum, the Association of Southern African Travel Agents (Asata) is redirecting the blame for air travellers having to buy additional air tickets to the airlines in question as the airlines have closed refund platforms to travel agents. Asata is responding to comments made by government that travel agents are allegedly forcing travellers […]
ASATA issues letter to IATA: Protection of funds in the BSP
On 31 March, ASATA issued a letter to IATA emphasising that it is becoming increasingly evident that the airlines are no longer interested in protecting the integrity of the BSP, by not applying the processes set out for refunds within the system and by flouting consumer laws to avoid refunding agents and their customers. To […]
ASATA issues letter to the President – Airlines flouting CPA and travel agents taking the blame
Dr Naledi Pandor made a public statement in yesterday’s inter-ministerial briefing calling on travel agents not to “exploit” travellers during the COVID-19 crisis. As the body representing over 90% of South Africa’s retail travel community, we wish to highlight that nothing could be further from the truth. We would further like to take this opportunity […]
Application for financial lifeline
ASATA is preparing letters that will be sent to the office of the President, the Department of Tourism, National Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labour, with general arguments in favour of a bailout for our industry. The letters will indicate that members will apply individually for assistance. ASATA has […]
Webinar: Cybersecurity in the COVID-19 work-from-home age
Please join ASATA for a webinar with MAZARS experts Christo Snyman and Terence Govender who will share with you and your team some practical advice to guard against cybercriminals while you are working remotely. Date: 3 April Time: 10h30 RSVP: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iEWnDt69T4ynODs3cbVujg
ASATA rejects Government statement that travel agents are exploiting travellers in Covid-19 lockdown

The Association of Southern African Travel Agents (ASATA) has noted the comments made by Government publicly that travel agents are allegedly forcing travellers to “buy another ticket when they are already a holder of a ticket to travel”. We take exception to the comments made by South African Minister of International Relations Dr. Naledi Pandor […]