PART TWO – RELATIONS WITH TRAVEL AGENTS, CARRIERS AND OTHER PRINCIPALS

CATO members will, at all times, follow the best traditions of salesmanship and fair dealing by providing fair and impartial representation to all travel agents, carriers, hotels, transport operators and other travel organisations which they represent.

CATO members will make themselves thoroughly conversant with agent group agreements, carrier/principal agreements and tariff rules and regulations. They will ensure that their sales and reservations employees know of these agreements and rules, have access to them, and understand them.

CATO members will not attempt to improperly influence the employees of travel agencies, carriers, hotels, tour and ground operators or other organisations, for the purpose of securing preferential consideration in the assignment of space, or for any other purpose.

To assist carriers and suppliers, CATO members will promptly release all unsold space and return cancelled seats and / or accommodation with a minimum of delay. Members will refrain from suggesting and or making duplicate bookings for clients.

Orders placed by CATO members for accommodation or services, whether written or oral, are binding, and if required will be cancelled. When vouchers and exchange order are presented for accommodation or services they will be honored without delay.

CATO members will adhere to standards of truth and will not make false, deceptive or misleading statements or claims when called on to give an opinion of travel agent, carrier, hotel, tour operator or other travel organisation.

In the event of a complaint or grievance by a client against any agent, carrier, hotel or other principal. CATO members will give the principal an opportunity to make a full investigation before taking any action against the principal.

CATO members are encouraged to give appropriate and prominent recognition to their marketing and travel partners in all advertising, sales literature and solicitation practices.

© Council of Australian Tour Operators.