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EU GDS Code of Conduct : State of Play

EU GDS Code of Conduct : State of Play. Leuven , 6 December 2011. Introduction. ETTSA: European Technology & Travel Services Association Founded in 2009 to represent Global Distribution Systems ( GDSs ) and Online Travel Agencies ( OTAs ) at pan-European level Membership :

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EU GDS Code of Conduct : State of Play

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  1. EU GDS Code ofConduct:State of Play Leuven, 6 December 2011

  2. Introduction • ETTSA: EuropeanTechnology & Travel Services Association • Founded in 2009 to representGlobal Distribution Systems (GDSs) and Online TravelAgencies (OTAs) atpan-Europeanlevel • Membership: • GDSs: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport • OTAs: ebookers/Orbitz, Expedia, Lastminute.com, OdigeO incl. its brands Opodo, Govoyages and eDreams • SupportingPartners: ATPCO, OAG • Mission: To maintain full transparency, faircompetition and consumer choice in the travel distribution chain

  3. Overview of Independent Travel Distribution

  4. The GDS Code of Conduct • First GDS Code of Conduct in Europe in 1989 (Regulation 2299/89) • Aim: Ensurefaircompetitionbetween air carriers and betweenGDSs, in order to protect the interests of consumers • Revision of Code in 2009: Regulation 80/2009, ensuring: • FairrelationshipsbetweenGDSs and transport providers • Pricingfreedomleading to lowercosts for transport providers and, ultimately, travellers • Equalaccess to distribution facilities • Clear, neutral displays that do not misleadconsumers • Robust protection of personal data • Provision of adequate data by transport providers sothatGDSscancomplywiththeir obligations under the Code

  5. The GDS Code of Conduct: State of Play • European Commission in the process of undertakingFitness Check of GDS Code of Conduct • Report in preparation by Steer Davies Gleave, circulation late 2011 or early 2011 • Stakeholder consultation to gathercomments on findings • 2012: Commission deliberation on policy options

  6. Value of the Code: ETTSA’s Perspective • Code of Conductis a robustpiece of legislationthat has enabled a functioning and effective independenttravel distribution chain • Revision in 2009 has led to greaterpricingfreedom, has benefitedcompetition, and has led to lowerprices for transport providers and travellers • In itscurrentreview, Commission needs to takeintoaccount: • Relevance of the Code to metasearchengines, incl. Google Flight • Application of the Code to « direct connect »-typeplatformsand/or alliance and multi-supplier distribution tools

  7. Conclusion • Code of Conductplaysitsrole as a tool for consumer protection in the transport and travelmarket • Scope needs to beconsidered as emerging distribution tools are biased by design • Transparency in indirect distribution mayincentivise direct distribution channel to improvetransparency as well • Deregulationis not an option as itwouldfavour large powerful transport operatorsat the detriment of faircompetition

  8. Contact us ETTSA EuropeanTechnology & Travel Services Association Rue Defacqz 52, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Christoph Klenner, Secretary General Tel.: +32 (0)2 645 79 91, Mobile: +32 (0)478 410 064 E-mail: cklenner@ettsa.eu Web: www.ettsa.eu

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