Financial Bonding…Financial Bonding…Financial Bonding…. Is there really anything more important to the industry, and to our clients, than the security and certainty that financial bonding provides?
Talking About TAANZ
To ensure your funds are protected, Tour Time chose to be TAANZ financially bonded over a decade ago. TAANZ (The Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand) is a self-regulating trade organisation, that works with its members to promote a Code of Ethics and Practice for travel agents, travel brokers and tour operators. At its core, being TAANZ bonded means that any funds paid towards your tour must be held in client/tour specific bank accounts that cannot be used for operational expenses, wages, marketing, working capital, etc. or be used for any other clients’ or group’s tour expenses. Not a cent of profit from a tour can be realised until you return to home soil.
To be a member, you must meet strict membership and financial criteria, as well endure at least two financial reviews each year by the TAANZ Bonding Authority. To be fair it seems from the outside to be a mildly uncomfortable level of financial scrutiny … because it needs to be.
The fact of the matter is, that if your business can’t stand up to the audits, then it likely isn’t operating in a fully transparent and financially stable manner. We chose to undergo this process, and to remain bonded for this long, because it is the only way that we can clearly and truly prove to you that we have your financial security at heart.
The TAANZ Bonding Scheme (that has operated since 1966) ensures travel consumers can travel with complete confidence; because when your funds are needed to complete your tour plans, they are there. Full stop.