Scottsdale, AZ December 11, 2000 USTOA is discontinuing Active membership of Sunmakers, Kailani Hawaii, and Hawaii Leisure, effective January 1, 2001. According to USTOA president Bob Whitley, with the recent sale of the companies to Travelbyus.com, the three companies no longer qualify for USTOA membership under the organization's bylaws, which require a company to be in business continuously under the same management or ownership for three years.
"Travel agents need to be aware that, as of January 1, clients who travel with Sunmakers, Kailani Hawaii , and Hawaii Leisure will no longer be protected by the USTOA $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan," says Bob Whitley, President, USTOA. "With this said, we want to point out that this move in no way indicates anything negative. It is strictly a bylaw requirement, and we hope that Travelbyus.com will apply for USTOA Membership once the three year qualification period has been met," he adds.
USTOA's other membership qualifications are: 18 industry references, a minimum annual volume of 3,000 passengers or $3 million sales, $1 million liability insurance, and participation in USTOA's $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan, which requires the company to set aside that amount in the form of a bond or letter of credit to reimburse consumer payments and deposits in case the company ceases operation.
Additional details on USTOA are available through the USTOA Travel Agent's
Kit, available free of charge by phoning 1-800-GO-USTOA (1-800-468-7862).
Public Relations Contact:
Linda Kundell Communications
(212) 877-2798, (212) 877-3387 fax
(For all other inquiries about USTOA, please contact USTOA.)
