THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH A LICENSED TRAVEL
COMPANY
Each country has its own laws and regulations about
travel business. In Argentina, there are 2 laws: #18829 and #25997 which
clearly state that any individual or company who provides services such as
reservations for hotels, transfers, tours, tango shows, estancias, trip
planning consulting, as well as any other activity which is related to the
travel industry must have a license issued by the SECRETARIA DE TURISMO DE LA
NACION (National Board of Tourism).
Unfortunately, many foreign travelers do not know
about this, and end up booking services through fake travel agents and non
licensed companies, without being aware of the serious risk that they are
putting themselves at.
In order to start any business in
Legal: First of all, the business must meet all the
municipal, state and federal laws.
Taxes: The tax office must give
the business an identification number. A licensed company must pay for income
tax, gross income tax and employment tax among others.
Apart from this, a travel agency
must meet the following additional conditions:
- License: the
company must be registered at the National Board of Tourism (www.turismo.gov.ar) and
this government institution will issue a license number which begins with the
letters LEG (it
is the abbreviation of “legajo” = file, license in Spanish). Such license
number must be included in all written communication sent by the travel agency.
Also, the name used by the company must be exactly the same as the one that
appears on the National Board of Tourism’s website. You can check this by
following these easy steps:
1) Go to www.turismo.gov.ar
2) Click on ESPAÑOL (the English version is still not available)
3) In the menu that appears on the upper part, click on AGENCIAS DE VIAJES
which appears on the right hand side.
4) Then click on CONSULTAS SOBRE AGENCIAS DE VIAJES AUTORIZADAS
5) Now you can choose to search a travel agency by its
authorized name or its license number.
If you want to search by the authorized name, click on AGENCIAS POR DESIGNACION
COMERCIAL. Once there you must write the agency´s name or the first letters and
click on VER.
If you want to check by license number, please click on AGENCIAS POR LEGAJO
ESPECIFICO. There you will have to write the license number and click on VER.
By choosing any of these two procedures, Iif the agency exists, you will see
its file that includes the name, address and phone number.
Please note that if an individual/company uses a certain business name,
but when you check this name on www.turismo.gov.ar
it does not match the license number that such agency claims to have, it is
likely that there is something wrong/illegal about this agency.
- Insurance: given the responsibility that working with travelers implies, a travel company must pay for an insurance policy which
must be renewed every year.
- Official receipts: your travel agency must be able to provide you with the official
invoice for all the payments you make.
- Credit cards: any solid, well established business must have its own merchant’s
number (not through third parties such as Paypal, etc.) so that you can pay
with credit card.
- Credentials: only licensed travel companies can become members of prestigious
organizations such as:
AVIABUE: Association of Travel
Agents of Buenos Aires www.aviabue.org.ar
AAAVYT: Association of Travel Agents of Argentina www.aaavyt.org.ar
ASTA: American Association of Travel Agents www.astanet.com
Internationally, ASTA is the most recognized international travel agent association. With over 24,000 members in 140 countries, ASTA is the largest and most influential travel trade association in the world. ASTA travel agents are known as dedicated, hard-working professionals who provide superior service to their customers. ASTA travel agents are knowledgeable professionals who uphold a strict code of ethics and who keep up to date by attending industry events that offer educational seminars and networking opportunities.
Reasons to work with a licensed travel
company
Best Value
- Consultants/Agents provide their clients with the best travel value possible.
They can't control travel prices, but they can provide you with accurate
information as to what choices and special promotions exist, and can speak to a
particular product's quality. They are there to help you get the best value for
your travel dollar.
Choice
- They can give you different travel options and they analyze promotions. The
cheapest price isn't always the best.
Convenient
One-Stop Shopping - A Travel Consultant/Agent can
save you time and money by handling every aspect of your trip and recommending
travel-related options.
Customer
Advocate - In the event that you have a problem with a
particular element of your travel experience, they can act on your behalf to
see that restitution is forthcoming. They act as the consumer's advocate.
Expert
Guidance - Travel Consultant/Agents are experts in
understanding and deciphering the intricacies of the system and in helping you
take full advantage. They clarify the fine print. A professional's experience
can save travelers both money and headaches.
Personalized
Service - Travel Consultant/Agents know what you want and
what you value in your travel experience. Consultant/Agents share the
experience and knowledge they accumulate, about everything from where to eat,
to where to shop and what to pack.
Professional
Advice - Travel Consultant/Agents are experts in making sure
that people get where they need to go at the best price and in the most
pleasant way possible.
Time
- Travel Consultant/Agents have all the information at their fingertips. They
stay abreast of timely promotions and industry happenings via daily faxes,
agent only E-mail and relationships with suppliers.
Unbiased
Information - They work for you, not the supplier and can
recommend travel-related options of which you might not have thought.
Trust
- You can trust that a professional travel agent will look out for your best
interests.