Genesis row continues on TravelMole

Wednesday, 31 Jul, 2002 0

The ongoing debate over the merits and flaws of the proposed agency-controlled Genesis travel distribution system shows no sign of letting up, with Canada’s Advantage Travel T-Comm president and chief executive Leslie H. Cassettari the latest executive to enter the fray.

To date, an unprecedented 10 comments, both for and against Genesis, have been added to the original TravelMole story since the interview with president and chief executive Bruce Bishins was published.

In the interview, Mr Bishins said that he believed the recent rejection by IATA airlines of a new Passenger Sales Agency Agreement was proof positive that change to the current airline-controlled distribution system is needed – and that Genesis could be the ideal solution.

But critics including UFTAA director and Global Consultative Committee agent chair Michael Hannah say that Genesis supporters refuse to accept the system’s drawbacks. Commenting on TravelMole he writes: “There are some fundamental flaws in how it [Genesis] is trying to achieve its objective. The proponents either do not accept this or do not recognise these flaws.”

In the latest comment to be added to the article, Mr Cassettari, who is involved with Genesis as president of the Canadian Standard Travel Agent Registry (CSTAR), claims that the global agency community “would not have reached the negative situation we find ourselves in, had Genesis been a reality and received the support it deserves.”

He adds: “There has been wide almost 100% positive grass roots support of Genesis, however the leaders of trade associations have ignored their constituents. When an occurrence such as this occurs in the electoral system, the incumbents are swept from office. If the ‘leaders’ are not prepared to listen to their constituents, then possibly they should consider resignation. Alternatively, do they truly believe they are right and everyone else is wrong?”

To see the Genesis debate on TravelMole in full, see the interview with Bruce Bishins.

Also see our previous stories:

24-Jul-2002: ASTA supports call for review of IATA competition rules
09 Jul 2002: IATA in big trouble Down Under
02 Jul 2002 IATA row threatens industry status-quo