ACTA President Wendy Paradis named Chair of WTAAA

The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) has named Wendy Paradis, president of ACTA, as its new Chair, according to a Nov. 22 press release.

The WTAAA’s new Executive Committee also includes Vice Chairs Paula Cortés (FOLATUR) and Dean Long (ATIA), while Eric Drésin (ECTAA) serves as Secretary, Hamza Rahmat (MATTA) as Treasurer, and Otto De Vries (ASATA) as Executive Director.

Mark Meader (ASTA) chairs the Land & Sea Committee, while Christian Möller heads the Air Matters Committee.

“I am confident that this diverse and experienced team will guide the WTAAA to new heights of influence and effectiveness,” Paradis said in a statement.

WTAAA interacts with travel supplier partners, representing all aspects of travel agency distribution from airlines, to hoteliers, to cruise lines, to GDSs and other technology providers, to government entities and more.

The association’s main objective is to lobby key issues on behalf of its members.

The WTAAA represents 12 regional market associations across the globe with regional and direct member associations in 57 countries worldwide.

Plan for 2025

With its newly-elected board at the helm, the WTAAA is addressing some of the challenges facing travel advisors today.

At its recent General Assembly and Board Meeting in Athens, Greece, last week, the organization unveiled its strategic plan for 2025 and beyond, focusing on effective advocacy, robust communication, and increased member engagement.

Central to the WTAAA’s agenda is addressing the complexities and opportunities presented by New Distribution Capability (NDC) and Modern Airline Retailing (MAR).

“We must ensure that the promises of NDC translate into tangible benefits for both travel sellers and consumers. Transparency, fair competition, and consumer protection must be at the forefront of this evolution,” said De Vries.

The WTAAA will also address the critical issue of combatting travel fraud, providing agents with the resources and information needed to protect themselves and their clients. Addressing professional fee challenges is another key priority.

Strengthening communication within the trade is another key objective, as is geographic expansion, particularly in Africa.

Recruiting new allied members from across the travel spectrum, including technology providers, payment solutions companies, and other industry stakeholders, remains a high priority.

This year’s General Assembly also reaffirmed the WTAAA’s sound financial position and commitment to investing in initiatives that support its members.

“The WTAAA looks forward to a productive year and through our efforts, help to shape a more sustainable and agent-friendly future for the travel industry,” the association said.