|
TURSAB’S DUTIES, ACTIVITIES AND ITS APPROACH TO MAJOR
ISSUES
According to the Law concerning Travel Agencies and the
Association of Travel Agencies (No.1618), article 32, TURSAB is established
for the purpose of taking such measures, to insure the development of the
travel agency profession in harmony with the country’s economy and tourism
sector and of protecting professional ethics and solidarity.
Article 33 of the Law specifies its duties as market
research, studies on travel agency profession, taking measures to prevent
unfair competition amoung its members, organisation of courses and seminars
for training travel agency personnel, submitting its views so requested by
the Ministry, represantation of the travel agencies at the international
organisations, and carrying out the other duties specified in the Law and
the Regulation reffered to in the Article 34 of the Law.
TURSAB performs its duties specified by the Law and the
relevant Regulation, and makes every effort with the aim of developing
travel agency profession, resolving the problems concerning travel agencies’
activities and contributing to proper development of tourism.
In view of the significance of coordination, concerted
efforts and public-private partnership, in the efficieny and achievement of
goals and objectives, TURSAB works in constant contact with all the
authorities and organisations concerned. It endeavours to contribute to
decision making process by bringing important issues to the agenda by
providing information, submitting its views and proposals.
From TURSAB’s standpoint any issue of common interest related
to or affecting the products and services offered by travel agencies, their
bussiness activities, as well as all aspects of tourism development, are
considered high priority areas. Quality consideration is a point of great
importance in modern tourism. In this context, TURSAB gives due
consideration not only to the quality of the products and the services
offered, but also to the concept of the total quality of the destination and
environment. This brings of course, wide range of issues, affairs into
question which are beyond the scope of duties and responsibilities of TURSAB
specified by the Law No.1618, such as travel related services other than
those of travel agencies, infrastracture works, investments, environmental
issues. However TURSAB’s and its members’ interests comprise all these
issues, all aspects of development and management of tourism, from policy
formation, definition of strategies, measures to be taken, planning,
implementation, to the promotion activities. Therefore TURSAB, submits its
opinion and proposals on issues as such, where necessary, to the authorities
or agencies concerned, and makes every endeavour with the aim of achieving
the best possible results in co-operation with them.
Considering the importance of public opinion and support for
the accomplishment of success in proper development and management of
tourism, TURSAB makes efforts to increase public awareness of significance
of tourism, its socio-economic impact, beneficial effects, as well as
environmental issues, conservation and sustainability.
TURSAB, regularly informs the public, of all the issues above
and developments in tourism, travel agency activities, also conveys its
views through various means e.g. meetings, seminars and most importantly
through media to the members of public and to the organisations concerned.
PR within the country constitutes an important part of
TURSAB’s activities. On the other hand, TURSAB also attaches great
importance to international relations, PR and promotion activities in this
context.
As a member of several international organisations, TURSAB is
represented on international platforms and makes every effort towards
further promotion of bilateral, multilateral relations and regional
co-operation in tourism. TURSAB supports the efforts for the encouragement
and facilitation of travel. It shares international concern about improper
development, misuse of tourism, over explotation of resources, environmental
problems, and therefore places much emphasis on the idea of sustainable
development.
TURSAB within its capacity, works on and realises, a number
of events and special projects every year, aiming at developing travel
agency activities and tourism while carrying out its day to day routine and
other duties specified by the Law No.1618. Following pages contain further
details concerning TURSAB’s activities as well as information in brief about
some special events and projects
|
