Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 - (Page 82)

NEWS IMPACT ARC Launches Accreditation and VTC Mark Program PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL AGENTS will get a major boost from the Airline Reporting Corp.' s (ARC) newly announced ARC Accreditation and Verified Travel Consultant (VTC) Mark program. The innovative program was launched in response to travel agents' requests for an effective way to promote ARC credentials to both consumers and suppliers. In the first phase of the program, ARC is focused on informing agents and the industry of the Accreditation VTC marks. In the second phase, to be launched later this year, ARC will promote the marks to business and leisure travelers. ª The new ARC Accreditation Mark may be the perfect way to highlight a travel agency' s obtainment of the gold standard in travel agent accreditation,º says Lauri Reishus, general manager of ARC' s Industry Products and Services. ª The ARCAccredited Agency George Dooley and the ARC VTC are among the most select group of dedicated professionals in the U.S. travel industry,º she adds. ª They have shown an impressive commitment to meeting and maintaining the industry' s most stringent financial, personnel and security requirements. As a result, they are rightfully recognized by the world' s leading airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines and tour operators. These marks are a true embodiment of an agency' s impressive credentials. ª Whether displayed on an agency' s website or on business stationery, customers and travel suppliers will appreciate knowing that the agency is fully accredited by ARC.º David Collins, president and CEO of ARC, notes, ª Our customers have told us that ARC' s brand means reliable and secure processing and settlement relationships, as well as innovative technology solutions. This is indeed the value that ARC seeks to provide to all our stakeholders and what we feel that the ARC Accreditation Mark stands for.º ARC' s website provides agents and VTCs with a style guide offering suggested uses for the ARC Accreditation Mark and VTC Mark in electronic as well as print media. The ARC Accreditation Mark and VTC Mark on a website becomes yet another tool for the agent to demonstrate their credentials. If the customer clicks on the mark, they are able to instantly verify the agent' s accreditation status with ARC. The VTC Mark was added to the ARC Accreditation Mark as the number of travel professionals seeking VTC certification crossed the 300 mark in late May. The stylish, high-resolution ARC Accreditation Mark is available, free of charge, for use by active ARCaccredited agents with an airline ticketing appointment. The VTC Mark is similarly available to ARCcertified VTCs. Visitors to agent websites can click on the ARC Accreditation Mark and VTC Mark, which link to an interface that will verify the agency' s or VTC' s accreditation or certification status. Also, ARC' s corporate website will provide visitors with the ability to enter an agency' s ARC number to verify the agent' s accreditation status. The new ARC Accreditation Mark program is a first for ARC, according to Alan Muten, ARC' s director of strategic communications. It' s also indicative of ARC' s expansion of services to the industry. This INDUSTRY David Collins, president and CEO of ARC includes ARC COMPASS, which serves as a leading, trusted source for travel transaction information. Muten sees ARC' s growth as a provider of financial settlement solutions and data and analytical services for the travel industry as a major asset to agents. Participating airlines, travel agencies, corporate travel departments, railroads and other travel suppliers process $80 billion annually through ARC' s world-class settlement system. Agents can learn more about the new ARC Accreditation Mark and the VTC Mark at www.arccorp.com. Ð GEORGE DOOLEY CONNECTING YOU To get the latest industry news to help run your business, visit www.travelagent central.com/running-your-business 82 | TravelAgent June 9, 2008 http://www.arccorp.com http://www.arccorp.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/running-your-business http://www.travelagentcentral.com/running-your-business

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Pacific/Asia: Hong Kong’s Kowloon District Honors Chinese Traditions while Brandishing Cutting-Edge Style Hawaii: Nature Lovers with an Urge to Get Out and Move Flock to Kauai - Hawaii's Garden Isle Pacific Northwest: Washington State has Become the Hot New Destination for Wine Lovers New Zealand: Two New Hotels Make Queenstown Even More Enticing Las Vegas: The Coolest Places to Beat the Heat are the Exclusive Pools at Las Vegas Hotels Central & South America: A Restored Railway Line Offers a New Way to Enjoy Quito Caribbean & Bahamas: Nikki Beach Hotels' Aggressive Expansion Continues Europe: Reporting Back from the German Travel Mart in Munich Cruises: Princess Cruises Introduces a Group Amenity Feature Cover Story: Costa Cruises Delta/Northwest: The Airline Merger that Could Change the Industry Hotels: Historic Hotels are Going Green Spas: Indulging Guests, with an Environmental Focus Agent Profile: Montrose Travel Shares its Secrets Passport Online: The New Website Supports Agents, Supplies and Consortia Agenda: From Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar China Continues to Welcome Visitors Alternative Fuel for Cruise Ships News from the Caribbean ARC Launches Accreditation Program In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.