Dear AZTA members,

As the end of year draws nearer, and the last minute bookings come streaming in, a quick note from your committee to brief you as to what has kept our heads down this year!

Your AZTA committee, apart from Clayton, was lucky enough to travel to Dubai on the Emirates educational along with approximately 20 other travel agents from Zimbabwe, a Zimbabwe Tourism Authority representative and 27 travel agents from Zambia, including their Association members and recently elected Chair. It was a 5 star educational and we were treated like royalty. It ran completely smoothly, with no hiccups at all. It gave us a good opportunity to interact with our Zambian counterparts and listen to the challenges that they are facing as a committee and as an industry as a whole. It was so refreshing and rewarding to find out how advanced our Zimbabwean industry is and the morals and standards that we at AZTA have been trying to introduce and enforce over the last 2 years have really paid off. As an industry we should all be very proud of the high standards we have set, not only here in Zimbabwe but in the regional too. We certainly have become Industry leaders and can only continue this with your support.

Without boring you all, as I know how busy you all are, these are a few of the things we have touched on, retouched on, worked on, reconfirmed, worked with and fought for: IATA Financial criteria for Zimbabwe, APJC members and Chair, AZTA membership criteria, Criteria recognition from GDS's, IATA recognition, Service fees, salary guidelines, SI124 & 125, website improvement and updating, brochure stands, training institution inspections, Developmental member agency inspections, updated membership details, a successful Sanganai presence, a Minister's workshop, as well as an Awards ceremony that rocked the region ! We have also bridged the gap between the agencies and the airlines and we hope that we are the liaison between the two.

A reminder that our doors are always open for comments and suggestions. Although we have ideas on how to make our industry a force to be reckoned with, we need input from all players. Our committee members and secretariat welcome all correspondence in order to make us the best! We look forward to your continued assistance and support.

All that is left is to wish you all a Merry Christmas and the very best wishes for 2012. May it be a year of new beginnings and strong relationships for us all.

Kind regards,

LAURA EVANS

AZTA Chairlady

AZTA was formed over 60 years ago by a group of travel agents intent on joining forces to become one voice to suppliers and authorities, thereby ensuring it would be represented and respected as an industry player.

AZTA has grown to a membership of 75 throughout Zimbabwe and is registered with the following associations:

IATA - International Air Transport Authority - Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. IATA represents all registered airlines throughout the world and liaises closely with UFTAA. To be accredited by IATA, travel agents have to submit bank guarantees, have IATA trained staff, have secure offices and be easily accessible to the traveling public.