Accreditations and Governance
ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents)
As a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), the world’s largest association of travel professionals with members in 140 countries, Key Travel has pledged to conduct their business activities in a manner that promotes the ideal of integrity in travel and agrees to act in accordance with the following Principles of the ASTA Code of Ethics.
1. Accuracy. ASTA members will be factual and accurate when providing information about their services as well as any firm they represent.
2. Disclosure. ASTA members will provide in writing, upon written request, complete details about the cost, restrictions, and other terms and conditions, of any travel service sold.
3. Responsiveness. ASTA members will promptly respond substantively to their clients' complaints.
4. Refunds. ASTA members will remit any undisputed funds under their control within the specified time limit. Reasons for delay in providing funds will be given to the claimant promptly.
5. Cooperation. ASTA members will cooperate with any inquiry conducted by ASTA to resolve any dispute involving consumers.
6. Confidentiality. ASTA members will treat every client transaction confidentially and not disclose any information without permission of the client, unless required by law.
7. Affiliation. ASTA members will not falsely represent a person's affiliation with their firm.
8. Conflict of Interest. ASTA members will not allow any preferred relationship with a supplier to interfere with the interests of their clients.
9. Compliance. ASTA members shall not have been convicted of a violation ofany federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting consumers.
Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC)
Key Travel has been a member of the UK Guild of Travel Management Companies since 2003 and Ajaya Sodha, our Chairman, is Chairman of the GTMC. The GTMC is a member of the Guild of European Business Travel Agents (GEBTA) of which Ajaya is Board Director.
The Guild of Travel Management Companies is far more than an association. It works to promote the interests of our clients to suppliers, regulatory bodies and government and plays an increasingly important role in influencing the future of travel management.
It has become the industry's seal of quality and a guarantee of high standards whenever a Guild member agency is used.
Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
Key Travel is a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) which means you benefit from ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. Many of the travel arrangements that we sell are protected in case of the financial failure of the travel company. Please ask us about the protection that applies to your booking..
ABTA’s main aims are to maintain high standards of trading practice for the benefit of its members, the travel industry, and the consumers that they serve.
As a member of ABTA Key Travel must comply with ABTA's code of conduct, which is monitored regularly by way of an annual audit.
The primary aims of the ABTA Code of Conduct are to ensure that the public receive the best possible service from members, and to maintain and enhance the reputation, good name and standing of ABTA and its members. It’s essentially a guide to good practice, although some of what it contains is also required under UK and European law.
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
We are bonded agents of the International Air Transport Association. Each of our offices has an independent license to trade under IATA.
IATA's goal is to help its members provide a seamless travel experience to their customers. As today's business is driven by consumer expectations, our challenge is to meet those expectations in a financially sustainable business environment.
Members of IATA enjoy the support of an internationally renowned organization that represents, leads and serves one of the most dynamic industries in the world.
IATA aim to simplify the travel experience, to minimize hassle and give more control to each passenger. In addition, IATA have the environment as one of their top priorities. Airlines are working constantly to limit their climate change impact, emissions and noise. IATA is committed to helping them do so.
ATOL
We are bonded by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and carry an Air Travel Organizers License to protect our clients.
ATOL is a financial protection program for air holiday packages and flights managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). All tour operators and travel firms selling air holiday packages and flights in the UK as a principal are required by law to hold a license called an Air Travel Organizer’s License (ATOL), and contribute to a central protection fund called the Air Travel Trust (ATT). In some cases they must also provide the ATT with a bond.
People booked and contracted with a licensed tour operator for a complete air holiday package or a flight are protected from losing money or being stranded abroad if their tour operator goes out of business. Refunds can be made to people who can’t travel and arrangements can be made to fly people home. The program does not protect people who book flights directly with an airline.
For more information see the Civil Aviation Authority website.
Investors in People
The Investors in People Standard is a UK business improvement tool designed to advance an organization’s performance through its people.
Ensuring that we remain accredited with Investors in People allows us to focus on just that. All our employees have dedicated 1-1 time with their line managers, their own personal development plan and formal bi-annual performance and development reviews. In this way we ensure that we can effectively evaluate training and coaching needs and respond in a way which will provide the best development for our people.
The Investors in People requirement ensures commitment to this process in order to maintain the development of our employees consistently across the business. It is also a great recognition award for all of our managers who dedicate their time to coaching their teams in order give them the tools to succeed.
http://www.investorsinpeople.co.uk
Tourism Flanders
Our Brussels office is a member of Tourism Flanders. Tourism Flanders Brussels is the public body responsible for the Flanders' policy on tourism.
As well as promoting tourism in Belgium, Tourism Flanders is responsible for the implementation of the regulation relating to hotels, travel agencies and camping businesses. It is investing in specific projects of tourist infrastructure to improve the tourism trade.
http://www.visitflanders.co.uk/
Garantiefonds Reizen
Our Brussels office is also a member of Garantiefonds Reizen, a Belgian Travel Guarantee Fund which offers financial protection to insure you in the event that Key Travel were to become financially insolvent or bankrupt. In other words, it ensures that your money is safe.
