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Username: gdm
Date/Time: Sat, October 21, 2000 at 1:21 AM GMT
Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.01 using Windows 98
Score: 5
Subject: International Air Transport Association (IATA) application to manage and control ".travel"

Message: 		 

 
                To the ICANN Board of Directors:
The referenced application, if granted, has potentially grave consequences for the travel industry.  IATA is an organization with a long record of abuse of power and privilege.  Moreover, its membership, the airline industry has little if any valid claim to the broad and comprehensive domain of “.travel”.  At best, they would make a reasonable case for a domain “.airtravel”, but even there the IATA membership is exclusive to a select set of air carriers.

The only sector of the travel industry that is representative of all sectors is the travel retailer.  If “.travel” should be granted to any sector, it should be the travel retailers as represented by numerous industry associations around the world.  Examples include the Canadian Standard Travel Agency Registry (and it’s XSTAR partners in the USA, Europe, Australia, etc.), American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Association of Canadian Travel Agents (ACTA).

Giving “.travel” to IATA would be tantamount to giving “.health” to the American Pharmaceutical Association!  IATA acts exclusively in the best interests of its membership—NOT in the best interests of TRAVEL.  Although it is a non-profit organization, it relies on revenue from outside sources to fund its operations.  Clearly, the domination of “.travel” is a new revenue growth and industry domination initiative.  IATA has a long track record of excessive charges and monopolistic abuse.  IATA already has total control of the retail sector.  A travel agent who dares to challenge IATA will quickly find itself denied “the privilege” of selling airline tickets.

The scope of “.travel” includes “tour”, “cruise”, “rail”, “bus”, “wilderness outfitter”, “hotel”, “car rental”, etc. etc. etc.  Note the scope without considering any form of “air” supplier.  We urge you to reject this outrageous IATA application.

Respectfully,
Gordon D. Miller
President
UNIGLOBE The Premiere Travel Group
130 Slater Street, Suite 1200
Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 6E2
Tel: (613) 231-1021
Fax: (613) 230-2379
e-mail:  gordon@premieregroup.com
http://www.premieregroup.com
      
     
     
     
 

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