Travel Agent Agreement

Terms and Conditions for Professional Travel Agents using Direct Book Travel

You are reviewing this agreement as part of your registration process. Return to your registration form to complete acceptance.

Background

• Direct Book Travel operates an innovative B2B disintermediation platform connecting professional travel agents directly with accommodation suppliers
• The Travel Agent wishes to access competitive accommodation rates and live inventory through our platform
• Direct Book Travel acts as agent for accommodation suppliers to facilitate bookings and process payments
• This agreement establishes the terms for Travel Agents to access and use the platform

1. Definitions and Interpretation

Key Definitions:

• Booking: A confirmed reservation made by Travel Agent through the Platform
• Client: The end customer/traveller for whom Travel Agent makes bookings
• Commission: Payment earned by Travel Agent on bookings (minimum 10% markup opportunity encouraged)
• Confidential Information: All non-public platform and supplier information
• Platform: The Direct Book Travel online booking system
• Professional Travel Agent: Licensed/registered travel agent operating a legitimate travel business
• Supplier: Accommodation providers offering services through the Platform
• Travel Agent Credentials: Valid business registration and professional travel industry credentials
• User Account: Travel Agent’s registered access to the Platform

2. Eligibility and Registration Requirements

2.1 Professional Travel Agent Requirements

Travel Agents must be:

• Licensed or registered travel agents in their jurisdiction (where licensing is required)
• Operating a legitimate travel business with appropriate business registration
• Members of recognized travel industry associations where applicable
• Compliant with local travel industry regulations and standards

2.2 Business Requirements

Travel Agents must provide:

• Valid company name and business registration number
• Professional business email address (no personal emails)
• Business owner/director details for KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance
• Proof of business registration and travel industry credentials
• Business address and contact information
• Professional indemnity insurance details (where required by local law)

2.3 Platform Access

• Access limited to registered users with two-factor authentication
• Individual user accounts tied to verified business entities
• Platform access may be suspended for non-compliance
• Account approval subject to verification of credentials

3. Platform Services for Travel Agents

3.1 What We Provide

• Access to live inventory from vetted accommodation suppliers
• Real-time rates and availability
• Competitive nett pricing with markup opportunity encouraged
• Instant booking confirmation for channel manager connected properties
• 24-hour confirmation for static rate properties
• Secure payment processing in local currencies
• Australian-based customer support
• Booking management tools and reporting

3.2 No Platform Fees

Travel Agents pay NO platform fees, subscription fees, or booking fees. You pay only the displayed accommodation rates.

3.3 Rate Structure and Markup Opportunity

All rates are displayed as nett rates. Suppliers are encouraged to provide rates with minimum 10% markup opportunity built in to allow competitive selling prices. While we provide market intelligence to suppliers to support this standard, we cannot guarantee 10% markup opportunity on all rates.

4. Travel Agent Obligations

4.1 Professional Standards and Compliance

• Maintain current business registration and travel industry credentials
• Notify Direct Book Travel immediately of any licensing or registration changes
• Comply with all applicable travel industry regulations in your jurisdiction
• Maintain professional indemnity insurance where required by local law
• Operate in accordance with local consumer protection laws

4.2 Booking and Payment Obligations

• Payment in Full: Pay complete booking amount before reservation confirmation
• Accurate Information: Provide correct passenger and booking details
• Client Communication: Manage all client communications and service delivery
• Booking Modifications: Handle changes and cancellations according to supplier terms
• Dispute Resolution: Work with our Australian support team on any booking issues

4.3 Professional Business Practices

• Use platform solely for legitimate travel bookings for clients
• Maintain professional business practices and ethical standards
• Provide accurate business information and keep details current
• Not attempt to circumvent the platform or contact suppliers directly
• Protect confidential platform and supplier information
• Comply with anti-money laundering and fraud prevention requirements

4.4 Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Comply with all applicable travel industry laws in your jurisdiction
• Maintain required business licenses, registrations, and insurance
• Follow consumer protection and privacy regulations
• Adhere to payment card industry security standards
• Comply with local tax and reporting obligations

5. Booking Process and Confirmation

5.1 Booking Procedure

1. Search and select accommodation through the Platform
2. Enter accurate passenger and booking details
3. Complete payment in full via secure payment system
4. Receive booking confirmation from Direct Book Travel
5. Supplier confirms reservation (instant for API connections, within 24 hours for static rates)

5.2 Payment Security and Currency

• All payments processed through PCI DSS compliant systems
• Payment provider scans for fraudulent cards and uses 3D Secure
• Multi-currency support for international travel agents
• Currency conversion handled automatically where required
• No booking confirmation until payment successfully processed

5.3 Booking Confirmation SLA

• Channel Manager Connected Properties: Instant confirmation
• Static Rate Properties: Confirmation within 24 hours
• All confirmations sent via email and available in platform dashboard
• Booking vouchers and documentation provided electronically

6. Fees and Payment Terms

6.1 No Platform Fees for Travel Agents

Travel Agents pay ZERO platform fees. There are no:

• Registration fees
• Subscription fees
• Booking fees
• Transaction fees
• Annual membership fees
• Currency conversion fees (where applicable)

6.2 Markup Opportunity

• Suppliers encouraged to provide rates with minimum 10% markup opportunity
• Markup opportunity allows competitive client pricing and commission earnings
• Direct Book Travel provides market intelligence to suppliers to support competitive pricing
• Markup opportunity encouraged but not guaranteed on all rates
• Markup rates may vary by supplier and booking type

6.3 Payment Terms and Currency

• Payment required in full before booking confirmation
• Payments processed in local currency where possible
• Major credit cards and approved payment methods accepted
• Payment confirmation required before supplier reservation
• Automatic currency conversion at competitive rates

7. Cancellations and Modifications

7.1 Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations subject to individual supplier terms and conditions
• Cancellation requests processed through Direct Book Travel only
• Refunds processed according to supplier policies and local regulations
• Australian support team manages all cancellation disputes
• Cancellation fees may apply as per supplier terms

7.2 Booking Modifications

• Modifications subject to supplier availability and terms
• Additional charges may apply for changes
• All modifications must be processed through the Platform
• Direct supplier contact not permitted
• Modification fees as per individual supplier policies

8. Customer Support and Dispute Resolution

8.1 Global Support Services

• Dedicated Australian-based customer support team
• Support available during Australian business hours
• Email support available 24/7 for urgent issues
• Multi-language support where possible
• All booking and payment disputes managed by our team

8.2 Dispute Management

• Direct Book Travel manages all supplier disputes on your behalf
• Travel Agents protected from direct supplier conflicts
• Resolution process designed to protect agent and client interests
• Support team ensures suppliers fulfill confirmed bookings
• Escalation procedures for complex international issues

9. Data Protection and Privacy

9.1 Data Collection and Processing

We collect only essential information:

• Passenger names for booking transmission to suppliers
• Business contact details for account management
• Payment information for secure transaction processing
• Booking history for service improvement
• No unnecessary personal data collected or stored

9.2 International Privacy Compliance

• Full compliance with Australian Privacy Act
• GDPR compliant for European travel agents and bookings
• Compliance with applicable data protection laws globally
• Secure data transmission and storage with encryption
• Complete privacy policy available at directbook.travel/privacy-policy

10. Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

10.1 Platform Intellectual Property

All platform technology, design, content, and trademarks remain the exclusive property of Direct Book Travel. Travel Agents receive limited license to use the platform solely for legitimate booking purposes.

10.2 Confidential Information

• Supplier rates, availability, and business information are confidential
• Platform technology and processes are proprietary
• Travel Agents must not disclose confidential information to third parties
• Confidentiality obligations survive agreement termination
• Breach of confidentiality may result in immediate account termination

11. Account Suspension and Termination

11.1 Suspension Grounds

Direct Book Travel may suspend Travel Agent accounts for:

• Loss of business registration or travel industry credentials
• Fraudulent or suspicious booking activity
• Violation of platform terms and conditions
• Payment defaults, chargebacks, or financial irregularities
• Breach of professional standards or ethical requirements
• Non-compliance with local laws or regulations

11.2 Termination Rights

• Travel Agent: May terminate account with 30 days’ written notice
• Direct Book Travel: May terminate for cause immediately or with 30 days’ notice for convenience
• Outstanding bookings honored regardless of account termination
• Confidentiality and legal obligations survive termination
• Final settlement of outstanding amounts upon termination

12. Warranties and Representations

12.1 Travel Agent Warranties

Travel Agents warrant that they:

• Hold valid business registration and travel industry credentials in their jurisdiction
• Have authority to enter this agreement on behalf of their business
• Will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Will use the platform only for legitimate business purposes
• Will provide accurate information and maintain account security
• Have appropriate insurance coverage where required by law

12.2 Platform Provider Warranties

Direct Book Travel warrants that it will:

• Provide platform services with reasonable care and skill
• Maintain platform security and data protection standards
• Process bookings and payments according to stated procedures
• Provide customer support during specified hours
• Maintain system availability and performance standards

13. Limitation of Liability

13.1 Service Responsibility

• Suppliers are solely responsible for accommodation services and quality
• Direct Book Travel facilitates bookings but is not the service provider
• Travel Agents responsible for client relationships and service delivery
• Platform acts as booking intermediary and payment facilitator only

13.2 Liability Limitations

• No liability for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
• No liability for supplier service failures, cancellations, or quality issues
• Total liability limited to booking values processed through the platform
• Consumer protection law rights are not excluded where applicable
• Force majeure events exclude liability for both parties

14. Force Majeure

Neither party liable for performance delays or failures due to events beyond reasonable control including natural disasters, government actions, strikes, terrorism, pandemics, or other force majeure events. Parties will work together to minimize impact and resume normal operations as soon as reasonably possible.

15. Rate Structure and Pricing

15.1 Nett Rate Display

All accommodation rates are displayed as nett rates on the platform. These rates represent the final price Travel Agents pay to Direct Book Travel for accommodation services.

15.2 Commission Opportunity

• Suppliers are encouraged to provide rates with a minimum 10% markup opportunity built in
• This allows Travel Agents to offer competitive selling prices to their clients while earning appropriate commission
• Direct Book Travel provides market intelligence to suppliers to support competitive pricing
• Note: While we work with suppliers to maintain this standard, we cannot guarantee 10% markup opportunity on all rates

15.3 Rate Intelligence

• Direct Book Travel provides suppliers with market intelligence and pricing guidance
• Regular rate auditing helps ensure competitive positioning
• Suppliers receive feedback on rate competitiveness and market positioning
• Travel Agents benefit from our ongoing rate optimization efforts

16. Payment Processing and Management

16.1 Payment to Direct Book Travel

All payments for bookings are made directly to:

Travel Spark Pty Ltd trading as Direct Book Travel
ABN: 51 681 956 043
83 Gumdale Street, Wakerley 4154, Queensland, Australia

16.2 Booking and Payment Management

• Direct Book Travel manages the complete booking process on behalf of Travel Agents
• We handle all payment processing, supplier settlements, and booking confirmations
• Travel Agents deal exclusively with Direct Book Travel for all booking-related matters
• No direct payment or communication with suppliers required
• All booking modifications, cancellations, and disputes managed by our team

16.3 Payment Security and Processing

• Secure payment processing through PCI DSS compliant systems
• Multi-currency support with automatic conversion where required
• Payment confirmation required before booking confirmation
• All financial transactions managed by Direct Book Travel
• Travel Agents protected from supplier payment disputes

17. Legal Compliance and Governing Law

17.1 Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Queensland, Australia, regardless of the Travel Agent’s location.

17.2 Jurisdiction

The courts of Queensland, Australia have exclusive jurisdiction over all disputes arising from or relating to this Agreement, including disputes involving international Travel Agents.

17.3 Compliance Requirements

• All Travel Agents must comply with Queensland, Australia consumer protection laws
• International Travel Agents must also comply with their local jurisdiction requirements
• Direct Book Travel operates under Australian travel industry regulations
• All booking contracts governed by Queensland law
• Australian Privacy Act applies to all data processing activities

17.4 Dispute Resolution Process

1. Direct Resolution: Good faith negotiation between parties
2. Mediation: Mediation via Queensland Law Society appointee if negotiation fails
3. Legal Proceedings: Queensland court proceedings as final resort
4. International Agents: May participate in dispute resolution remotely where possible

18. General Provisions

18.1 Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the complete agreement between parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, and communications relating to the subject matter.

18.2 Amendments

Agreement amendments must be in writing and agreed to by both parties. Platform updates, policy changes, and rate adjustments will be communicated with reasonable notice through the platform or email.

18.3 Severability

If any provision is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement remains in full force and effect. Invalid provisions will be replaced with valid provisions achieving similar commercial effect.

18.4 Assignment

Travel Agents may not assign this Agreement without Direct Book Travel’s prior written consent. Direct Book Travel may assign this Agreement with reasonable notice to Travel Agents.

18.5 Notices

All notices must be in writing and sent to registered email addresses or business addresses on file. Email notices are deemed received when sent to the registered email address.

18.6 Relationship of Parties

• This Agreement creates a commercial relationship between independent parties
• No partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship is created
• Neither party has authority to bind the other except as expressly provided
• Direct Book Travel acts as booking facilitator and payment processor

19. Electronic Signatures and Acceptance

19.1 Electronic Acceptance

The Parties agree that this Agreement may be executed electronically and that electronic signatures and acceptance shall have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures under Queensland law.

19.2 Record Keeping

Direct Book Travel will maintain secure records of electronic acceptance including date, time, IP address, and Travel Agent identification details for legal compliance and dispute resolution.

19.3 Binding Effect

Electronic acceptance of this Agreement by completing registration constitutes a binding agreement between the parties under Queensland law.