The Leisure Travel
Alliance (LTA) is offering member agencies the chance to join ASTA at a reduced
rate through March 2017.
Agencies with annual gross sales up to $5 million pay $199 instead
of $325. Agencies with annual gross sales of
$5-10 million can pay $399 instead of $530, and agencies with annual gross
sales of $10-25 million can join for $599 instead of $735.
The host agency LTA
Central Contractors, previously known as International Tours of Houston, is
also offering a membership deal to its independent contractors. They can sign a
two-year, individual membership deal for $248, which is less than ASTA’s $199
independent contractor membership (an annual membership).
LTA President Stuart
Godwin said he is promoting the society because of its “consistent record of
either making legislators understand the industry’s position, or successfully
deflecting and defeating virtually every major federal and state government
initiative to impose on the travel agent community capricious tax and
regulatory measures.”
Austin-based LTA joins other
industry groups in supporting ASTA. MAST Travel Network, Virtuoso and the
Western Association of Travel Agents all have membership-subsidy deals. Signature Travel Network and Travel Leaders Franchise Group have
mandated their agencies become members of ASTA.
ASTA also announced that its membership category for independent contractors, announced late last year, will be
implemented over the next two months for independent contractors who sign two-year agreements.