RoarAfrica is proud to be a member of the following organizations and associations in promoting South African travel and providing excellence for our clients

 

American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) http://www.asta.org/

ASTA, short for the American Society of Travel Agents, is the world's largest association of travel professionals. ASTA's 20,000-plus members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc. They are the leading advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.

We live in a world in which travel has become both increasingly important and complex in its variety of modes and choices. Travelers are faced with a myriad of alternatives as to transportation, accommodations and other travel services. Travelers must depend on travel agencies and others in the industry to guide them honestly and competently. All ASTA members pledge themselves to conduct their business activities in a manner that promotes the ideal of integrity in travel and agree to act in accordance with the applicable sections of the following Principles of the ASTA Code of Ethics. Complaints arising under this Code should be filed in writing with the ASTA Consumer Affairs Department.

General Responsibilities

1. Accuracy. ASTA members will be factual and accurate when providing information about their services and the services of any firm they represent. They will not use deceptive practices.
2. Disclosure. ASTA members will provide in writing, upon written request, complete details about the cost, restrictions, and other terms and conditions, of any travel service sold, including cancellation and service fee policies. Full details of the time, place, duration, and nature of any sales or promotional presentation the consumer will be required to attend in connection with his/her travel arrangements shall be disclosed in writing before any payment is accepted.
3. Responsiveness. ASTA members will promptly respond to their clients' complaints.
4. Refunds. ASTA members will remit any undisputed funds under their control within the specified time limit. Reasons for delay in providing funds will be given to the claimant promptly.
5. Cooperation. ASTA members will cooperate with any inquiry conducted by ASTA to resolve any dispute involving consumers or another member.
6. Confidences. ASTA members will not use improperly obtained client lists or other confidential information obtained from an employee's former employer.
7. Confidentiality. ASTA members will treat every client transaction confidentially and not disclose any information without permission of the client, unless required by law.
8. Affiliation. ASTA members will not falsely represent a person's affiliation with their firm.
9. Conflictof Interest. ASTA members will not allow any preferred relationship with a supplier to interfere with the interests of their clients.
10. Compliance. ASTA members shall abide by all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Notice. ASTA members operating tours will promptly advise the agent or client who reserved the space of any change in itinerary, services, features or price. If substantial changes are made that are within the control of the operator, the client will be allowed to cancel without penalty.
2. Delivery. ASTA members operating tours will provide all components as stated in their brochure or written confirmation, or provide alternate services of equal or greater value, or provide appropriate compensation.
3. Credentials. An ASTA member shall not, in exchange for money or otherwise, provide travel agent credentials to any person as to whom there is no reasonable expectation that the person will engage in a bona fide effort to sell or manage the sale of travel services to the general public on behalf of the member through the period of validity of such credentials. This principle applies to the ASTA member and all affiliated or commonly controlled enterprises.

Conclusion
Adherence to the Principles of the Code of Ethics signifies competence, fair dealing and high integrity. Failure to adhere to this Code may subject a member to disciplinary actions, as set forth in ASTA's Bylaws.

Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa http://www.apta.biz/

APTA is a volunteer, nonprofit organization of Travel Professionals which is recognized as the outstanding Association for the Promotion of Tourism to the Continent of Africa and its islands. APTA seeks to improve tourism to Africa through the education of its members.

South African Tourism (SATOUR)

South African Tourism is the official international marketing organisation of South Africa as a tourist destination.

South African Tourism markets South Africa's scenic beauty, diverse wildlife, kaleidoscope of cultures and heritages, the great outdoors, sport and adventure opportunities, eco-tourism and conference facilities.

Marketing is undertaken via SA Tourism's international offices in strategic markets worldwide (ie London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Milan, Sydney, New York, Tokyo).

South African Tourism participates in travel shows, presents workshops for members of the travel trade, produces a variety of promotional material and initiates and co-ordinates marketing campaigns to create a positive marketing climate for the effective marketing of South Africa's many excellent tourism products. For this purpose South African Tourism also arranges INDABA, the largest annual tourism market in Africa, as an opportunity for the South African travel industry to present its products to the international market.

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM VISION
As an integral part of the Africa to competitively market South Africa internationally as a preferred destination, for the sustainable economic and social empowerment of all South Africans and to make tourism the leading economic sector in South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM'S MISSION IS:

• To increase the number of international visitors;
• To increase export earnings;
• To increase the dispersal of all visitors across South Africa to spread the economic benefits and encourage development;
• To co-operate with all stakeholders to promote a suitable national tourism culture and environmental awareness and consolidate partnerships to maximise resources;
• To promote a unique African experience;
• To demonstrate leadership, integrity, responsibility, creativity and excellence in all we do;
• To promote southern Africa as a tourism hub through regional co-operation, for the benefit of the whole region;
• To co-ordinate, where appropriate, data, research, statistics and product information for the industry nationally;
• To offer visitors a quality experience.

 

South Africa FUNDI http://www.safundi.net

Roar Africa is a certified expert in South African travel having passed the specialist training course developed by South African Tourism, the official international marketing organisation of South Africa as a tourist destination.