Aito Specialist Travel Agents (STA) has launched a crackdown on former members who are still using the branding for their own benefits without paying the fees.
STA chairman Oliver Broad said he decided upon the move following his election to the post in September after discovering an agent in the Midlands who was still displaying an Aito sticker in his shop window and handing out leaflets extolling the merits of being a member two years after he had quit the association.
While Broad is hoping that the case was a one-off, he is now asking agents to keep an eye on rivals who may be claiming to be Aito members and receiving commercial benefits as a result.
He said: “I’m keen to find out, I really hope there aren’t any agents out there doing this but there are some out there who see a value in being a member of Aito STA and they need to pay their membership fees.
“I find it flattering as they obviously see value in our brand, however, it is totally unacceptable and must stop.
“I urge any AITO agents out there that are aware of non-member agents using the AITO agents logo to contact us immediately and we will approach the agents concerned.”
To further counter the problem, Broad said he will introduce year-dated stickers next year for agents to prove they are an up-to-date Aito STA member.