
The rift between foreign airlines operating in the country and travel agents over commission payments seems to be coming to an end with the DGCA today holding a meeting of their representatives to finalise the government’s stand on the issue.
The meeting came in the backdrop of a Kerala High Court directive to ensure commissions for the agents from this month-end and the Karnataka High Court wanting the foreign airlines to explain their position regarding the global norms of the issue, including that decided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
While the airlines have been insisting on the ‘zero commission’ concept which is now in vogue in most of the western nations, travel agents have been arguing that no commission payment would starve small and medium agencies which are already hit by the economic meltdown and sharp decline in air travel.
In a global recession, foreign carriers will look at any opportunity where they can make a bit of money
Since late last year, about 16 foreign airlines that included Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, North West Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Airlines and United Airlines reduced commission for travel agents to 0%. In the suit filed in HC, Travel Agents Association of India had alleged that these airlines were misinterpreting an IATA resolution and saying payment of 0% commission was well within the meaning of paying some commission.
The airline industry globally is in such a bad shape that they really don’t see much value. Airlines will now think twice or thrice to offer commission payments to travel agents as they feel the heat of global meltdown.
There has been already a sharp fall in travel agents in India with IATA accreditation and if now zero commission concept gets approval will affect more small and media travel agencies in India said Onestopshop Retail service official

For many people, a cruise ship can be the ultimate budget travel destination. A cruise provides a great, one price, vacation, and one of the main attractions to booking a cruise is that just about everything is included in the price.
As a matter of fact, in some cases the daily cost of a cruise can be less than the daily cost of a decent hotel room. When you consider that the price of the cruise includes not only the room, but all the food and entertainment as well, it is easy to see why cruises are so popular with budget minded travelers.
Of course, there are some things that are typically not included in a cruise package, and it is important to find out what is included and what will need to be paid for as an extra.
For instance, most cruises do not include alcohol, and require passengers to pay their bar tab upon departure. In addition, most shore excursions and local sightseeing is not included, so it is important to get a detailed list of such excursions, including the price.
In addition, since advertised cruise prices are based on double occupancy, cruises are often less of a deal for solo travelers, since the single supplements can add quite a bit to the price of the cruise.
It is always a good idea to inquire about special single rates if you are traveling alone.
The location of the cabin is another important consideration when booking a cruise. The interior cabins on the lower parts of the ship are generally the least costly, while the higher, larger cabins with ocean views are the most expensive.
If you have never taken a cruise before, it is a good idea to get advice from those who have experienced cruising.
These people can provide valuable insight on the best balance of cost and comfort for your first cruise experience.
As with other kinds of travel, getting the best deal on a cruise will take some time, some planning, some perseverance and plenty of shopping around.
It is a good idea to shop as early as possible, particularly for popular destinations like the Caribbean or Mexico in the high season.
Of course, it is possible to save money by traveling in the off season, and this can often be a great strategy. For instance, even though it is the middle of the winter and most people are not thinking about vacations where you are, it may be warm and inviting in many tropical cruise destinations.
It is important, however to check out the local weather, and to avoid the rainy season in the destinations you are considering. Steering clear of hurricanes, tropical downpours and other weather problems can help you get the most out of your cruise.
It is not always necessary to shop early, of course. Cruise lines have been know to offer some spectacular discounts at the last minute in order to move unsold cabins or avoid leaving with a less than full passenger load.
There are many last minute travel newsletters that provide details on these types of cruise deals, and these last minute travel deals are a big hit with retirees and others with the time to see the world.

Many people do not realize how important packing light is to budget travel, but I can tell you from personal experience that it is very important.
Trust me if you over pack, you are much more likely to drop extra money on porters, luggage carts, taxis and all those other little costs that could be avoided if you just packed more sensibly.
Even though those costs can seem insignificant, they can really add up, especially on a long, multiple city trip.
Think of it this way while a traveler with just a backpack or small carry on will be comfortable taking the inexpensive city bus into town, the traveler loaded up with several suitcases will need to opt for a much more expensive taxi ride.
It is easy to see the impact proper packing can have for the budget traveler, so we present some light packing tips borne of personal experience.
– Try to avoid checking bags whenever possible. If you can live out of your carryon, you will be much better off.
– Not checking a bag means no wait at the baggage carousel, and that means you can get into town and start having fun while everyone else is still waiting for their bag.
– Airlines have gotten much more strict lately with carryon limits, with most major carriers now allowing only one carryon plus a purse or other personal item.
– To make the most of this policy, carry a large purse and pack it with extra items, like toiletries or cosmetics, that would otherwise take up valuable luggage space.
– Wear your largest shoes and bulkiest clothing on the plane to preserve space in the suitcase.
– For instance, a pair of hiking boots or sneakers can take up valuable luggage space, so pack your smaller dress shoes and wear your boots or sneakers on the plane.
– In addition, you will appreciate having comfortable shoes as you make your way through the airport.
– Plan your outfits carefully to minimize the pieces needed. A stylish black skirt or pair of pants can easily be made into several outfits with some creative accessories and a couple of nice shirts.
– Pack small items like a scarf, a tie or favorite pieces of jewelry to give your outfits a new look without taking up a lot of room.
– Try packing a large oversized t-shirt in place of a bulky bathrobe. An oversized shirt can be great for wearing right out of the shower, and it can double as quick cover up after a visit to the hotel pool.
– Invest in a quality pair of stylish yet comfortable walking shoes. Shoes that are comfortable and attractive can be paired with a variety of outfits for a different look. Since shoes take up more space in the suitcase than many other items, it is best to choose versatile footwear when traveling.
– Try rolling clothes instead of folding them. Rolling clothes allows you to pack more clothes into a smaller space, and helps keep clothes wrinkle free as well.
– Stock up on small sample sized products like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste deodorant. Many seasoned travelers keep a bag of such tiny soaps, shampoos and conditioners (gathered from hotels during previous journeys) in a bag at home for quick packing.
– Pack a large but foldable extra bag in your suitcase, and use this bag to carry the purchases and souvenirs you buy on the return trip.
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