ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents, has changed its name to American Society of Travel Advisors. The official announcement will be made at the ASTA Global Convention in Washington, D.C. later this month. In addition to the name change, its subsidiary National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) will be under the ASTA banner as the “ASTA Small Business Network,” and the brand will also be launching a consumer awareness campaign.
Though ASTA’s name is changing, its mission to promote and defend the agency and advisor community isn’t changing, nor is its member benefits.
According to ASTA, travel agents are not just booking agents anymore. They’ve become advisors in a similar way that financial advisors and CPAs work with their clients. Travel advisors are making the overall travel experience better, and get both leisure and business travelers maximum value for their money. ASTA is noticing that the consumer media and the traveling public is embracing this shift more from agent to advisor.
The organization will also be rebranding and reimagining the relationship between NACTA, ASTA, the travel industry, and the traveling public. For 32 years, NACTA has provided its members a community dedicated to the professional enhancement and shared knowledge of independent travel consultants. The goal of bringing NACTA under the ASTA banner as the “ASTA Small Business Network,” is to take the industry to the next level.
A rebranding campaign will be announced at the ASTA Global Convention. So stay tuned for more updates about this re-brand after the ASTA Global Convention, which takes place Aug. 21-23 and NACTA Annual Convention on Aug. 23-25. For more information, visit asta.org, and to sign up for the convention, visit astaglobalconvention.org. Click hereto learn about ASTA’s Verified Travel Advisor Certification.
