IATA has served the travel industry around the world as a neutral and trusted intermediary
for more than 50 years. During this period, it established a reputation for
administering a fair and effective process to facilitate cooperation among travel
providers to meet the needs of customers and improve service. IATA has built
a long record of achievement in areas such as standard setting, code design and accreditation
of travel businesses by using an impartial, global approach to many industry wide
issues. This kind of experience, on a global scale, is a prerequisite to the
screening and verification functions critical to the success of the .travel proposal.
IATA has proposed a governance structure for ".travel" consistent with this approach
whereby ".travel" would be managed by an Advisory Board whose members would be representative
of all areas of the travel and tourism industry.Travel is now one of the largest
and fastest growing segments of e-commerce.
However, many potential customers
are reluctant to purchase travel on the web because of uncertainty about the reputation,
reliability and qualifications of the service providers. The need for objective
and transparent standards to ensure that a defined quality of service is being delivered
to consumers is clear at a time when consumer confidence in the web media is low.
Therefore, identifying a travel provider as an accredited and trusted entity is a
responsible and prudent response to market perceptions. The screening process proposed
in the application is intended to grant accreditation to reputable travel entities
and build consumer confidence and use of the media. As well, it is a logical
extension to the accreditation service that IATA has successfully administered for
the travel industry for decades and will be a positive force in promoting change
and growth in all segments of global travel.
As with many of their successful programs,
IATA has demonstrated their openness to engage qualified external suppliers to help
deliver effective industry solutions by selecting an independent registry operator.
The outsourcing model used by IATA to support technology driven services will continue
to ensure quality supplier relationships are established on web based initiatives.
KPMG Consulting has significant experience across multiple industry verticals in
the evolving web environment and we have identified the need for and the existence
of a conscious effort to streamline and authenticate trusted online entities.
We conclude the focus and intent of the "DOT.TRAVEL" initiative proposed by IATA
is consistent with those needs and if successful will benefit customers and the entire
travel industry. The application is backed by the depth of IATA's industry
expertise, the ability to work with diverse governance structures in all parts of
the world and a long record as a not for profit, unbiased facilitator of travel industry
wide issues. We strongly encourage ICANN to grant the IATA application.
KPMG
Consulting LP - Toronto, Canada