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Travel agency associations from the Gulf signed an agreement to form a joint lobby group to promote and protect their interests as the region expands its tourism industries.
Representatives from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait and Sharjah have joined the newly formed Gulf Travel Association which will be headquartered in Abu Dhabi and headed by the Abu Dhabi Travel and Tourism Association (ATTAC).
Hani Khorsheed, the secretary general of ATTAC, said the Dubai Travel and Tour Agents Group was expected to sign up within the next two weeks, while Ras Al Khaimah and Oman will also join the association.
Sofyan Almoayed, the chairman of the Association of Bahrain Travel and Tour Agents, said: "The 'cartel' will allow us to protect the interests of travel agents around the Gulf and create one entity, which will strengthen our relationships not only with the airlines but with each other."
In the past decade, all GCC countries have adopted strategies to grow their tourism industries as a means of economic diversification.
Nasser bin Youssuf, the chairman of ATTAC and the Gulf Travel Association, said: "This is a new era in tourism and travel in the region. It will help us co-ordinate standards and upgrade services. Most importantly, it will improve transparency in the industry among Gulf countries."
Premjit Bangara, the travel manager of Sharaf Travel in Dubai, welcomed the lobby group's formation saying: "We are at a time now when commissions are down. Airlines are reducing prices and earnings are down. When you have a strong lobbying group, you have that much more muscle to negotiate with airlines and hotel representatives all over the place."
