About Us

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Directors. The 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

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

Our Supportive

Proud Partners

We are grateful to our most supportive partners, ASTA Proud Partners. Recognizing how important travel advisors are to their success, these companies invest their time and resources to support ASTA’s mission and ensure a healthy and robust travel agency distribution channel.