LEXINGTON, Ky. -- ARTA's new and improved Web site has only
officially been up for a few days, but it is already generating
interest and controversy.
ARTA president John Hawks said at least one-third of ARTA's
members have logged onto the site, www.artaonline.com,
to sample the array of news, destination information and services
it features.
But what's really generating interest is ARTA chairman Nancy
Linares' opinion column on Renaissance Cruises.
In it, Linares, speaking as a travel agent rather than in her
capacity as chairman, contends that retailers should "forgive and
forget" Renaissance's past attempts to bypass travel agents now
that it is attempting to make amends and sell the line.
Among other things, Renaissance has put up a $1 million bond
that ASTA can use for its consumer awareness campaign, if the line
reneges on its guarantee to pay travel agents 10% commission.
"In the end, of course, each ARTA agent must decide personally
whether to work with Renaissance again," Linares argues. "Put
emotion aside, and if selling Renaissance makes business sense for
you, do it."
ASTA has made a similar recommendation to its members. However,
Linares' views run counter to the ARTA's board, making for a
rousing discussion at the site.
"The great majority of our board have vowed to go to their grave
without ever selling Renaissance again," Hawks said. Linares "is a
lone figure in the night and she has heard about that. But she
feels strongly that you have to give people a second chance."
Viewers on the site have an opportunity to vote on whether or
not they agree with Linares. Many don't and some are not content
with leaving it at that.
"They have gone to the 'Contact Us' page to express their
reasons for the 'no' vote," Hawks said. "It has surprised me. I
think agents feel that there isn't much they can do about the
airlines. But they feel they can beat up [on the cruise lines] and
they are doing it."
ARTA has elected not to reveal the voting results. Nevertheless,
Hawks said, the controversy surrounding Linares' opinions about
Renaissance illustrates the type debate ARTA intends to encourage
at the site.
Other features include Travel Supplier Info, a searchable
database on a wide array of suppliers; Travel Destination Info, a
similar database focusing on destinations; Your Travel Rights,
legislative information and form letter templates that ARTA agents
can e-mail to lawmakers; Education, and on-line training courses
and exams that are graded automatically.
Plans call for adding weather forecasts for certain destinations
and a currency converter.
Celebrity Cruises, Hilton Hotels, Marriott Lodging Group,
Premier Cruise Lines, National Airlines, Norwegian Cruise Lines and
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line are supporting the site.
Hawks said ARTAonline would remain open to all viewers through
August, after that it will become password protected for ARTA
members only. ARTA also will officially launch a consumer passenger
rights site in August.