Is ARTA Canada a chapter or division of the U.S. ARTA organization?

No. ARTA Canada is an independent, 100% Canadian-managed, controlled,
and operated organization. ARTA Canada has its own board of directors and is
based and headquartered in Toronto.

What is the relationship between ARTA Canada and ARTA?

ARTA Canada is the strategic partner in Canada of ARTA. The two organizations work closely together by sharing information on matters of common interest in the travel industry and through mutual consultation and collaboration.

What is the legal structure of ARTA Canada?

ARTA Canada is a non-profit Federally Incorporated Professional Association pursuant to Part II
of the Canada Corporations Act and has been granted a charter by Letters Patent from Industry Canada. 

Why does ARTA Canada offer both agency and travel counsellor memberships?

Following a tradition at ARTA since 1963, membership in ARTA Canada is offered to both travel agencies and travel agents. While ARTA Canada would hope that every travel agency finds the merits of belonging to a travel trade professional association compelling, some travel agency managers and owners prefer to remain unaffiliated. At the same time, individual travel counsellors often wish to obtain their own credentials and affiliations, thereby benefitting from an array of services and a professional standing to which they might not otherwise have access.

What are some of the key benefits which accrue to ARTA Canada members?

ARTA Canada provides a wealth of benefits to members:

• Representation at all levels of the travel industry, government, and regulators
• A wide array of travel agency information, communications, and bulletins
• Productivity and efficiency tools including web-based software
• Job offers and resume posting on the ARTA Canada Job Board
• Document and industry reference library
• Frequent training programs and discounts with the Airline Training Council
• Consultation and assistance on trade and industry matters

For more details on member-only programs, visit the Member-Only Online Services section.

Do ARTA Canada benefits extend to both agency and travel counsellor members?

Yes. Regardless of your membership category, ARTA Canada extends its full array of benefits to both agency and travel counsellor members.

Are travel students and travel schools members of ARTA Canada?

No. A unique status of "Associate" has been created for travel students and travel schools who wish to be affiliated with ARTA Canada, and a series of special programs and services are available to these Associates. Once employed in the travel agency industry, travel student Associates can become ARTA Canada members.

Other travel agency associations include suppliers as members. Does ARTA Canada?

No. While ARTA Canada endeavors to maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with travel suppliers, ARTA Canada's board feels that a true travel agency trade association must be comprised solely of travel agencies and travel counsellors. To do otherwise, gives rise to a conflict of interest. ARTA Canada does not rely on financial support from suppliers.

Question:

Is ARTA Canada a member of any international body of travel agency associations?

Yes. ARTA Canada is the Canadian member of UFTAA, the United Federation of Travel Agents' Associations. Established in 1966, UFTAA is an international forum where matters affecting the world travel industry are addressed and which represents travel agents' activities before various worldwide bodies, governmental authorities, and suppliers of services. UFTAA is the largest travel agency "umbrella" organization, the members of which are the national travel agency associations in over 80 countries.