Frequently Asked Questions
Who are TAANZ?
“There is no government licensing for travel agents in New Zealand. The Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) is a self – regulating trade organisation representing the travel agent, travel broker and tour operator distribution system in New Zealand. TAANZ and its members promote the use of an Accredited Travel Advisor; quality standards, ethical business practices, safe travel, unbiased options and professionalism.”
TAANZ is the only authority offering full consumer protection. Whilst many companies are members of IATA, this organisation is in place to offer the airlines’ protection, rather than the consumer.
What is financial bonding?
“The Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand Incorporated (“TAANZ”) has established a Bonding Scheme which is designed to provide customers with an assurance that if they deal with a TAANZ member they will at least receive some protection against the travel agents’ failure to properly account to suppliers or intermediaries for monies received from customers for that purpose. It is compulsory for every full member of TAANZ to belong to the Bonding Scheme. Additionally, the TAANZ Bonding Authority, who is an independent Chartered Accountant, considers the financial structure of each individual member’s business.”
In layman’s terms, unless your business is financially stable and adheres to strict protocols around protection of your clients’ funds, you cannot be a TAANZ member. Because of the external auditing completed twice a year, and the requirement that tour funds are held in separated accounts, we cannot use clients’ funds received for operational purposes or to complete payments for another client’s tour. This is why, our members were able to pay cash refunds to their clients so promptly after the Covid cancellations. Not one of the STC founding members had used clients’ funds for operational expenses, company growth and expansion.
What are the MOE Guidelines you mentioned?
The MOE provide schools with a set of guidelines for EOTC and School Travel. In their guidelines they state that the recommendation is to use a TAANZ and IATA bonded agent. As previously mentioned, TAANZ offers consumer protection and IATA only offers the airline protection.
The guidelines state that if a non-bonded agent is used, then the risks need to be disclosed to the parents and agreement to use a non-bonded agent is to be sought from the parents. Please follow the link to the MOE website for more information.
Who are Qualmark?
Qualmark is the official quality assurance organisation of the NZ Government, owned and operated by Tourism New Zealand
Qualmark has over 2000 companies choosing to be endorsed across New Zealand from accommodation, visitor activities, service and transport providers along with the inbound tour operators, as the trusted guide to ensure quality travel experiences
The newly formed STC/Qualmark endorsement is achieved by having your business independently assessed under the four categories of Economics (TAANZ), Social & People, Environment & Culture with Health, Safety and Wellness (Qualmark & NZ Work Safe) being the final categories that are assessed.
Qualmark will work with all STC members independently to provide key insights and learnings from Tourism New Zealand to ensure that each business remains up to date with the latest changes within the overall standards of Qualmark around COVID readiness and developments in the Qualmark sector specific specialist school travel provider category.
What other practices do STC members have in place to protect our funds and students?
Beyond TAANZ membership and bonding requirements, Members will also be required to become members of the newly formed Qualmark School Travel Sector specific accreditation that has been jointly formed between STC, TAANZ & Qualmark (NZ Government tourism agency).
STC Members are held to a higher standard of Health and Safety and we are working with NZ Work Safe to ensure all members meet Global Best Practice and utilise the Safety Seek portal as endorsed by EONZ
All STC members hold the appropriate globally recognised COVID Ready accreditations for working in their sector
As a collective we are implementing a standard Terms and Conditions framework so that when you work with a STC member you are faced with no surprises
Members are expected to behave beyond reproach and adhere to ethical and sustainable business practices at all times
All STC members commit to supporting the collective through honest and transparent collaboration
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur dignissim neque metus, non porttitor purus cursus non. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Duis faucibus lacus sed nulla congue congue. Morbi a ligula lobortis, maximus orci in, egestas dui. Duis fringilla ut nunc vitae vulputate.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur dignissim neque metus, non porttitor purus cursus non. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Duis faucibus lacus sed nulla congue congue. Morbi a ligula lobortis, maximus orci in, egestas dui. Duis fringilla ut nunc vitae vulputate.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur dignissim neque metus, non porttitor purus cursus non. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Duis faucibus lacus sed nulla congue congue. Morbi a ligula lobortis, maximus orci in, egestas dui. Duis fringilla ut nunc vitae vulputate.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur dignissim neque metus, non porttitor purus cursus non. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Duis faucibus lacus sed nulla congue congue. Morbi a ligula lobortis, maximus orci in, egestas dui. Duis fringilla ut nunc vitae vulputate.