The ETTSA (European Technology & Travel Services Association) was formed last week with a pretty wide remit but including looking at the following:
* Measures introduced by airlines to prevent online travel agencies from making price comparisons.
* The implementation of the new code of conduct for Computerised Reservation Systems (CRS).
* Airlines' abusive (Preferred) fares and surcharge schemes.
Hot topics, indeed.
However, we want to know what you all think?
* Is this another toothless body that will make a fair amount of noise but avoid galvanising any major support for critical issues, or implementing any European-wide policies amongst like-minded companies?
* What should be its strategy for the First 100 Days?
* Too little too late?
* Is it under-represented from 'traditional' players who quite possibly also have related issues?
We look forward to reading your thoughts...
Re strategy for first 100 days
a) Create a website.
b) On that website throw up some ideas and issues - and then host discussions about those issues is public. Invite consumer representatives in to join in to represent the consumer's voice.
Just do one issue at a time so as to focus attention in a laser like way.
However I fear the organisation will all be about discussions behind closed doors.... which won't get consumers on side (one of its stated objectives)
Alex is perfectly right.
And behind the closed doors, this looks "simply" like a strategic interest group of intermediaries created to counterbalance the power of soon-to-be-very-consolidated airline industry.
The latter forced, inter alia, by the need for airlines to counterbalance the power of already-very-consolidated intermediaries.