Agents now competing with chambers
Travel agents, who have had to overcome the airlines cold shoulder and the rise of the internet, now have a new foe: chambers of commerce.
Chambers all across the country are selling travel packages to raise money.
“Call it infanticide or call it cannibalism, but whatever you call it, the fact that chambers of commerce would be selling travel in direct competition with its members is an outrage,” said
Bill Maloney, chief executive of the American Society of Travel Agents. He added:
”Chambers of Commerce exist to help local members get more business, not to compete with them.”
In Santa Cruz, Calif., for example, the local chamber is sponsoring a $2,185 eight-day trip to Greece.
The chamber, which started by offering a trip to China in 2007 before the Beijing Olympics, sold around 900 packages in its first offering — making $700,000 and nearly tripling what the chamber raised through events and memberships.
Chambers are in part trying to overcome agent complaints by partnering with locals to put on the trips.
“Unfortunately, because it’s profitable, I don’t see chambers quitting the travel business. Only when the money stops will the agencies turn to something else,” writes Barbara E. Hernandez in BNET.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026