travel agents

[tbird]

Hi,
I want to open a lowest unique bid auction site, as part of that i want to offer travel packages as prizes, does anyone know if you can work in conjunction with a travel agent so they can book the packages once they have been won or would you have to get a travel agents liscense for yourself, any insight ould be apprciated

thanks
tbird

 

[harvyk]

Hi TBird

This is one of those talk to a lawyer things...

Depending on what state (or country) you are in, you may require competition permits (especially you have used the word "prize"), and \ or the airlines may have rules in regards to using their products as prizes, so even if your state \ territory does not consider a reverse auction as a competition, your chosen airline may have rules regarding competitions (including reverse auctions) and how they can be run.

Also remember that the rules for what consitutes a competition varies between state to state, from WA \ QLD where the rules seemed to be most relaxed, to NSW where for me the cost of permits was almost what I purchased the prizes for wholesale.

Staying the right side of the law when it come to competitions, especially when talking across multiple states, can be quite tricky, speaking from experience.

 

[tbird]

Hey, thanks for that Harvyk, i live in W.A. and trying to find out what perrmits and liscenses i need has turned into a nightmare, some of the departments don't even know as all the acts were written long before reverse auction sites online were thought of, will keep trying, ta

 

[Travel Guru]

As far as I know, you wouldn't need a travel agents licence because you're not selling travel, you're merely offering a product via competition, but the person who you booked it through would need a licence.

I'm always on the lookout for new opportunities, (im a self-employed TA), feel free to DM me if you want to chat further or I can offer any advice or assistance.

There's certainly things you need to be aware when focussing on travel so as to ensue you dont get burnt.

TG

 

[tbird]

Hi TG,

Thank you for your advice, we have heard back from a lawyer that we don't require a travel agents liscense however we do need a letter from a travel agent stating they would book the packages for us. Is it possible that you may be able to assist us? Do you have a travel agents liscence?

Thanks

T Bird

 

[david870mdg]

You may need a llicence depending on your States jurisdiction if you are running a public competition with prizes - just another grab at cash by goverments.

 

[Travel Guru]

Hi TG,

Thank you for your advice, we have heard back from a lawyer that we don't require a travel agents liscense however we do need a letter from a travel agent stating they would book the packages for us. Is it possible that you may be able to assist us? Do you have a travel agents liscence?

Thanks

T Bird

Have sent a DM

TG

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You may need a llicence depending on your States jurisdiction if you are running a public competition with prizes - just another grab at cash by goverments.

Anyone offering public prizes of a commercial nature (as opposed to a school holding a fund-raising meat raffle!) will almost certainly require a licence of some type. The best place to start will be the relevant gaming department in your state - which may be separate (as in Victoria), or may be lumped in with sport (for example racing which may come under gaming and betting portfolios).

An easy way to find out information is to look for the Minister for Gaming in your state and see which department they belong to or they head up. (Not to be confused with the minister for Racing who may or may not be the same person!)

Commerical licences can be expensive and rightly so. There are a lot of checks which need to be carried out to ensure the validity of the company and the people behind them. This ensures prizes are genuine, competitions are fair, and that the industry and its participants are not engaged in crime. Licences also need to fund the regulatory environment - for example ombudsmen who will adjudicate in disputes over prizes.

 

[tbird]

I have sent emails to many departments including gaming, that was a week ago and still no response, i would love to know which department it is that checks over your site and says we are going to fine you because you don't have the licenss/permits you need, as im sure they could give me some answers, not meaning to sound bitter but many of the dept i have phoned don't even know who regulaes these online sites but i plan to keep on trying

regards
tbird

 

[harvyk]

I guess the first question is who is eligible to enter your reverse auction? Is it limited to Western Australian only \ All Australians regardless of state or territory \ or World Wide?

If it’s Western Australian only then contact Department of Racing, Gaming & Liquor Departmental internet web site (P/P) - Home, and call it a competition. Their number is 1800 634 541.

If it’s Australia wide you’ll most likely need to get permit for everyone who is eligible.
ACT - http://www.gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/
NSW - [FONT=&quot]http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/olgr_default.asp[/FONT]
VIC - Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation: VCGR Home
QLD - Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation (Queensland Government)
SA - Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner
TAS - Department of Treasury and Finance, Tasmania
NT - Licensing, Regulation and Alcohol Strategy - Department of Justice

From experience WA \ QLD where very friendly and quite helpful, and required the least amount of info from myself, NSW was the most draconian (to the point I was considering excluding NSW from the competition). QLD was very helpful and was able to advise whom I needed to contact in other state, VIC was ok, but very helpful when a problem came up (the winner refused to take my calls, I needed to confirm if I had done everything under the act to allow me to redraw)

Can’t state what TAS \ NT \ ACT will be like.


I would keep the terminology simple, and call it a competition, I would also talk to the departments by phone rather than email \ looking at their websites. (Back everything said up in writing)