ASTA STANDS FOR TRAVEL

ABOUT US

ASTA, the world's leading association of travel professionals, is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. Our work encompasses every aspect of the travel experience.

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally based members, ASTA’s history of industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism.

ASTA represents nearly 8,000 travel agencies and supplier travel companies employing over 100,000 people worldwide. Our members span every U.S. state and Congressional district, encompassing a diverse range of organizations, from large corporate-focused travel management companies like Carlson Wagonlit and BCD Travel to household-name online agencies like Expedia.

 

 

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Press Kit 2023

A QUICK TOUR OF

OUR HISTORY

Since our founding in 1931 as the American Steamship & Tourist Agents Association, ASTA’s mission has been to promote professionalism and advocate for its members. As modes of transportation evolved, so did ASTA, widening our focus and renaming ourselves the American Society of Travel Agents in 1944. Then, reflecting the shift from booking agent to trusted advisor, in 2018, ASTA became the American Society of Travel Advisors. Here's a decade-by-decade look at some highlights from our storied past.

  • Cruise Ship
    1930's

    ASTA was formed in 1931 as The American Steamship & Tourist Agents Association. At a time when agents were booking about 85 percent of all steamship travel, ASTA was urging ship lines to adopt agent-friendly policies and working to persuade hotels and railroads to pay agent commissions.

  • 1940's

    When World War II curtailed all but essential travel, ASTA members fought for the survival of their association, and in 1946, when airlines cut agent commissions, we were there to fight for its members. Reflecting shifts in the industry, we changed our name to the American Society of Travel Agents.

  • 1950's

    In the 1950s, ASTA won a 27-year battle for rail commissions. Plus, as part of fulfilling our mission to encourage and enhance professionalism in the industry, ASTA introduced the travel agency industry's first basic training tool, a home-study course. 

  • 1960's

    In the 1960s, ASTA made impressive progress in education. We held our first School at Sea and opened seven travel schools. In 1968, when President Johnson announced plans to restrict travel outside of the United States, ASTA waged the largest grassroots campaign in our three-decade history.

  • 1970s

    The 1970s brought airline deregulation, leading to increased airline competition and the first rise in air commissions in 25 years. ASTA established ASTA Marketing Services, Inc. (AMSI), negotiating member discounts on quality products and services and the ASTA Political Action Committee (ASTAPAC) to help support our advocacy efforts. 

  • Hero62
    1980s

    In the ‘80s, we continued our emphasis on education, holding Trainingfest, School on Rails, School at Sea and School on the Road. The decade was a period of significant growth for travel agents and the industry.  

  • Hero21
    1990s

    In 1995, seven airlines capped agency commissions on domestic tickets. We responded by filing an anti-trust lawsuit and settled out of court for $86 million. Plus, advocating for agents and consumers, ASTA drafted and promoted an Air Travelers Bill of Rights which led to the Consumer Access to Travel Information Act.

  • Hero24
    2000s

    In 2007, we re-launched our brand with a new logo and membership structure and enhanced benefits, including a redesigned website, member tools for advocacy, advertising and public relations campaigns, increased opportunities for global networking and improved online and home-study courses.

  • 2010s

    ASTA advocacy efforts scored major victories at the federal and state levels, saving the travel agency community more than $300 million. Among other initiatives, ASTA led the fight to prevent airlines from passing along merchant fees to travel agents and ultimately, their clients. 

  • ASTA
    Ocean Cruise

    Azamara 

    Carnival Cruises 

    Celebrity Cruises 

    Cunard 

    Explora Journeys 

    Holland America Line 

    MSC Cruises 

    Norwegian Cruise Line 

    Princess Cruises 

    Royal Caribbean 

    Scenic 

    Seabourn 

    Silversea 

    Virgin Voyages 

    Windstar Cruises 

     

LEARN ABOUT ASTA'S

LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

Recognizing that the traveling public depends on ASTA travel advisors and other ASTA providers to guide them honestly and competently in their travel decisions, all ASTA members pledge to conduct their business activities in a manner that promotes the ideal of integrity in travel and, as an express condition of membership in the association, to act in accord with ASTA’s Code of Ethics

ASTA policies are established by an elected National Board of DirectorsThe Board then elects the ASTA Executive Committee, including a president/chairman, vice president/secretary and treasurer, from among its members. ASTA’s CEO, as an ex-officio, is a non-voting member.

Click here for ASTA's Board of Directors

Featured News

From travel tips and trends to hands-on advice from ASTA members and media coverage of the industry, here are some of our favorite stories.

  • The American Society of Travel Advisors Introduces VeriVacation: A New Consumer Lead Generator Exclusively for Verified Travel Advisors

    The new consumer tool will accompany a broad consumer awareness campaign, promoting trusted guidance by elevating ASTA Verified Travel Advisors.

    Read Article
  • The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Urges Revisions to the Terms of Disney’s 2025 Travel Agency Designation Agreement

    New insurance coverage requirements fail to consider an agency’s size, sales volume, or other individualized factors.

    Read Article
  • Cruise Matchmaking: How to Score The Perfect Pairing

    Insight from cruise savvy travel advisors on how to determine what your client wants and how to find the cruise ship that's the best match.

    Read Article
  • Louisiana Travel Advisors’ Voice is Heard: No New Sales Tax on Services

    This decision marks a major win for Louisiana’s travel advisors who expressed deep concerns about the impact such a tax could have had on their businesses.

    Read Article
  • Federal Court Strikes Down Department of Labor’s Final Rule on Overtime

    Court Ruling Provides Relief to Travel Businesses, Reverting Overtime Thresholds to 2019 Levels

    Read Article
  • Michele Saegesser, Viking River Cruise Executive, Wins the 2024 President’s Award from the American Society of Travel Advisors

    The award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and exceptional contributions to the travel advisor community.

    Read Article
  • The Travel Advisor Industry’s Most Influential Strategize Plans for the New Administration, Air Travel Competition

    An urgent gathering of the nation’s largest travel management companies discussed the impact of the election and outlined priorities for the joint DOJ and DOT Request for Information (RFI) regarding airline competition before year’s end.

    Read Article
  • Sponsored Editorial - Sandals® Resorts: Open A World of Good

    Make a difference on your next vacation to a Sandals Resort by participating in a Sandals Foundation Island Impact Tour.

    Read Article
  • Why Do I Have to Keep Explaining This?

    15 Things Travel Advisors Wish Their Clients Knew

    Read Article
  • ASTA Launches Inaugural River Cruise Week 2024

    Seven leading cruise lines share exclusive insights, itineraries, and expert Q&A sessions in this first of its kind virtual event from November 18-22, 2024

    Read Article
  • The American Society of Travel Advisors Statement on Turkish Airlines’ Distribution Strategy

    The trade organization has significant concern over the absence of any mention of Sabre, the largest global distribution system (GDS) in the United States.

    Read Article
  • ASTA’s Mentoring Program Wins 2024 Magellan Gold Award

    This achievement celebrates ASTA’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of travel advisors and leaders by fostering growth, learning, and community.

    Read Article
  • The American Society of Travel Advisors Unveils Exclusive 2025 Event Lineup

    Early registration encouraged as sellouts are expected

    Read Article
  • Travel Advisors Embrace A.I.

    No, the robots aren't taking your job. But they can make you better at it.

    Read Article
Celebrate our

INDUSTRY AWARDS

As part of our mission to promote excellence within the trade, every year, ASTA presents prestigious awards to recognize professionals who make lasting contributions to the travel industry and exhibit extraordinary support for the trade. Awards fall into four main categories:  

Supplier Awards, voted on by the ASTA membership, celebrate companies and individuals who go above and beyond to recognize and showcase the value of the agency community.

Membership Awards showcase the superstar commitment of top ASTA member chapters, chapter leaders and travel agency consortia and franchise organizations that work to keep the travel industry strong and show the greatest support for ASTA. 

Advocacy Awards recognize those who have exhibited a huge commitment to ASTA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the travel agency community at all levels of government, within the industry, and before the traveling public.  

Other Awards include the Journalist of the Year Award, which goes to the member of the media who best recognizes and explains the benefits travel advisors and ASTA provide to the traveling public and the industry.

2024 Award Winners
American Society of Travel Advisors

123 N Pitt St, Ste 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 U.S.A.
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