Logo of the American Society of Travel Agents.

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is a business improvement organization which represents and defends the business and regulatory public policy interests of travel intermediaries including travel agencies (including traditional "brick and mortar" agencies, online portals, mega- and corporate agencies, and small and mid-market businesses) and tour providers (including wholesalers and operators). It is an IRS 501(c)(6) tax exempt not-for-profit entity.

Its members include travel agents and intermediaries as well as supplier companies who offer travel products and services such as tours, cruises, hotels, destinations, tourist bureaus, ground transport, car rentals, local guides and hosts, etc. ASTA calls itself the leading advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public. ASTA claims over 20,000 total members in 140 countries and is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. ASTA is governed by a 15 member US-based Board of Directors drawn from its voting eligible membership.

[edit] Vision and mission

Vision Statement
ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing and a rewarding place to work, invest and do business.

Mission Statement
ASTA’s mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism.

[edit] History

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) was founded on April 20, 1931 in New York City as the American Steamship and Tourist Agents Association. ASTA changed its name to the American Society of Travel Agents in 1946. On January 26, 2000, ASTA acquired the assets of The National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents, Inc. (NACTA) which is now a membership subsidiary and has, as of 2009, changed its name to the National Association of Career Travel Agents. NACTA represents independent travel agents, cruise oriented agents, home based travel agents and outside sales travel agents.

[edit] Executive Committee

ASTA maintains a 5-person Executive Committee to handle most association decisions.

2009-2010 Executive Committee

• Chris Russo — President and Chairman of the Board
• William A. Maloney — Chief Executive Officer(CEO)
• Kathleen Hope Wallace — Vice President/Secretary
• Nina Meyer — Treasurer
• Ellen Bettridge — Executive Board Member

[edit] Membership

It is primarily a US based membership organization, organized under NY State Corporation Law but localed in Virginia just outside Washington DC, for the purposes of its government and industry affairs efforts.

Voting members are only US domiciled Travel Agent Members and Premium Members. According to ASTA bylaws (last revised in August 2009), ASTA has eight membership categories:

• Travel Agent Members
• Premium
• International Travel Agency Company
• International Travel Professional
• Travel School
• Allied Company (product, service and information suppliers to travel agencies)
• Allied Associate
• Honorary

[edit] See also

• National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA)
• Outside Sales Support Association (OSSN)
• Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA)
• U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
• National Tour Association (NTA)
• U.S. Travel Association (USTA), formerly Travel Industry Association
• International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• International Association of Travel Agents Network (IATAN)
• Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC)

[edit] Related Sites

• ASTA.org - ASTA's Official website
• TravelSense.org ASTA's Consumer website
• Association of Special Fares Agents