News
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Response To The Saratogian About Hotel Occupancy Taxes
TravelTech onJune 6, 2012
I am writing on behalf of the online travel industry in response to the article “Law drafted that would prevent Saratoga County from losing out on thousands of dollars in hotel occupancy tax revenue” (June 4, 2012). » Read More -
The Baby Whisperer: Charging For Carry-On Bags Is ‘Just Ludicrous’
TravelTech onJune 1, 2012
The director of communications for ITSA (the association for online travel companies) was interviewed about her thoughts regarding the major issues relating to the unbundling of travel costs. According to ITSA, passengers paying an additional fee to secure a preferred seat assignment and to compete for overhead storage space are starting to treat each other more poorly. » Read More -
Response To Kalamazoo Gazette About Hotel Occupancy Taxes
TravelTech onMay 3, 2012
I am writing on behalf of the online travel industry in response to an article “Kalamazoo County expected to sue travel websites for allegedly skimming taxes” (May 1, 2012). » Read More -
Response To The Tampa Bay Times About Hotel Occupancy Taxes
TravelTech onMay 1, 2012
I am writing on behalf of the online travel industry to respond to the editorial “Internet firms still not paying fair share” (April 30, 2012). » Read More -
Alabama Supreme Court And Leon County Circuit Court Unanimously Side With Online Travel Companies
TravelTech onApril 23, 2012
Decisions represent clear victories for online travel companies, and demonstrate futility of similar litigation » Read More -
Alabama Supreme Court Unanimously Sides With Online Travel Companies In Lodging Tax Dispute
TravelTech onApril 17, 2012
Decision represents another clear victory for online travel companies » Read More -
Tennessee Legislature Takes A Pass On New Travel Tax
TravelTech onApril 6, 2012
Legislators Place HB 3319 in Summer Study Committee, Properly Recognizing the Complications of Taxing Travel Agent Services » Read More -
Tennessee Legislators Continue The Fight To Create New Taxes
TravelTech onMarch 28, 2012
Legislation Proposed in the wake of Federal Court Ruling that Existing Law Does Not Apply to Travel Reservation Services » Read More -
Airline Fees: Chuck Schumer Asks Airlines To Drop Seat Fee For Kids
TravelTech onMarch 27, 2012
In the past five years, airlines have added fees for checked baggage, watching TV, skipping security lines, boarding early and ensuring better seats. New York Senator Charles Schumer is currently urging airlines to allow families with young children to sit together without having to pay extra. » Read More -
Knoxville Legislators Leading The Charge To Create New Taxes
TravelTech onMarch 22, 2012
Legislation Proposed in the Wake of Federal Court Ruling that Existing Law Does Not Apply to Travel Reservation Services » Read More -
Priceline Says Tax Will Hurt Tourism, Malloy Administration Disagrees
TravelTech onMarch 20, 2012
There is a bill in the works in Connecticut that would tax hotel rooms resold by online travel companies. Opposition to this cites research from the ITSA that shows for every one percent increase in price, there is a corresponding two percent drop in demand. » Read More -
Online Travel To Represent A Third Of Total Global Travel Market
TravelTech onMarch 20, 2012
Online travel arrangements have continued to grow in popularity across the American and European continents and there is growth potential in large parts of the Asia-Pacific region as well. The “online travel segment” is forecasted to represent almost a third of the global travel market. » Read More -
IATA, GDS Companies Butt Heads Over Merchandising Capabilities
TravelTech onMarch 12, 2012
There is currently controversy over ideal method of distributing secondary products, the claim being that the technology is too outdated for the way that airlines are breaking up travel expenses. Based on discussions at industry events, it has become clear that a typical travel agency will not have the technology to support new airline products and services coming from a direct XML connection. » Read More -
Courts Say Online Travel Companies Can’t Be Taxed
TravelTech onMarch 12, 2012
It seems to be a trend that various courts around the country have dismissed cases brought against online travel companies for avoiding hotel occupancy tax ordinances. The ITSA hopes that other municipalities will recognize this trend. » Read More -
ITSA Applauds The Oregonian Legislature For Not Raising Taxes And Preserving Tourism Promotion
TravelTech onMarch 6, 2012
Salem, OR, March 6, 2012 – The Interactive Travel Services Association (ITSA), the voice of the online travel industry, appreciates the wisdom of the Oregon Legislature for not enacting SB 1519, which would have imposed new service taxes on Oregon travel and tourism. Oregon joins a number of other states, including Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Massachusetts that have considered and rejected these taxes as unworkable and harmful to tourism and job creation. » Read More -
Response To The Oregonian About Hotel Occupancy Taxes
TravelTech onFebruary 28, 2012
In response to “Mr. Shatner, can you help,” 2/25/12 » Read More -
Tennessee, Pennsylvania And Kentucky Courts Affirm Decisions For Online Travel Companies In Occupancy
TravelTech onFebruary 22, 2012
Courts continue the growing trend of dismissing cases brought against online travel companies » Read More -
Statement From ITSA Regarding Florida HB 1393
TravelTech onFebruary 16, 2012
Statement from the Interactive Travel Services Association Regarding Florida HB 1393 » Read More -
Response To The Park City Record About Hotel Occupancy Taxes
TravelTech onFebruary 13, 2012
In response to “Online travel companies ducking taxes,” 2/10/12 » Read More -
Statement From The Interactive Travel Services Association Regarding Virginia SB 671
TravelTech onFebruary 7, 2012
Joseph Rubin, the President of the Interactive Travel Services Association (ITSA), the voice for online travel companies and global distribution systems had the following response to the Virginia Senate Committee on Finance’s decision on SB 671: » Read More