RTA Affiliates

Develop a range of programmes that support the development of responsible tourism and use the products & services offered by RTA Business Partners along established tourist routes established as excursions from, or travel between the destinations you visit. 

• Make Enquiries & Bookings for RTA Products & Services - Using the 'non-commission' based booking model - established for the service and taking advantage of the booking incentive system (discounts, upgrades, complimentary services) provided by RTA Business Partners.

• Book Non-RTA Products & Services - Use your normal booking channels where the RTA option is not available.

• *Personalised Service - Work with the RTA Local Agent to accommodate the preferences, likes, dislikes of your group members - when on tour with the RTA.

• *Hobbies & Interests - Work with the RTA Local Agent to try and match your group's hobbies and interests with those available in the destination - during your group's stay.

• Implement Best Practices & Service Standards - Use the RTA Responsible tourism best practices database embedded in your RTA online business profile to indicate to your clients, the best practices followed whilst on ‘tour’. 

• Safety - Work with the RTA Local Agent to develop a risk assessment, as well as an emergency evacuation plan and procedures in the event they are needed during your programme with the RTA. 

• Establish Your Pricing - Based on your own formula.

The Volunteers Without Borders Foundation - is funded mainly by a percentage of the RTA Members donations. They can:

• Advice on What to Donate & Where - When planning a tourist route programme, consider bringing in English language books and educational materials for local schools that VWB supports. Alternatively, consider donating funds for and delivering materials (seeds, plants, mushroom bottles) to the small scale sustainable agriculture programmes VWB has set up in local schools along each route - to provide nutrition, and to provide additional revenue for operational overheads.

• What Projects to Fund & Work On - If you are so inclined, contact the RTA Local Agent for a list of VWB community service projects, from 2 to 8 hours in duration, and with varying budget requirements at schools, or in communities along the way. Each provides a great opportunity for interaction with the local community, and the support will be much appreciated.

Note* The RTA Local Agent is also the VWB Representative for the destination and can advise and on and put the above in place.

Promoting your Business on the RTA Platform 

The RTA provides you with low-cost market access, subsidised marketing (See. Entry Page Advertising), and a range of promotional tools. The greatest advantage we provide you with is the opportunity to offer your clients a highly personalised, responsibly operated, unique and rewarding, travel experience, to a standard not widely available to your competitors. 

Note* Compare benefits for each level of membership in the table below. 

The RTA encourages its Business Partners to publish their advertised rates on their 'online profiles', and to make 'confidential' offers on a case by case basis, to our Ambassadors via the RTA Local Agent in response to their enquiries to secure their bookings.  When establishing your rates' please note that the Ambassador pays a 'small booking fee' to the Local Agent when booking your product.

• Price Discounts - At their discretion and based on the overall value of the booking to them.

• Upgrades - That have high perceived value and allow the Business Partner to increase the incentive without a significant increase in their cost.

• Complementary Services - Additional incentives that again have a higher perceived value than their actual cost.

As the RTA business model is non-commission based, RTA Local Agents will secure quotes for Ambassadors from Business Partners using a time/cost-based calculation to determine their 'booking fees'. Their services include:

• Communicating with RTA Ambassadors - Is done via the embedded email system and CGI forms in the 'enquiries & booking log' on your online presentation. Emails come either direct (where RTA Business Partners can support them and RTA Ambassadors choose that option), or via the RTA Local Agent.

• Negotiating the Best Deals - On accommodation, attractions, activities, courses, and workshops for the RTA Ambassador, from each of the Business Partners detailed in the RTA Ambassadors draft itinerary.

• Seeking Booking Incentives -  From Business Partners by or on behalf of the RTA Ambassador - In the form of discounts, upgrades, and complimentary services.   

• Securing Your  Best in Personalised Service - From Business Partners by or on behalf of the RTA Ambassador: Catering to their preferences, likes, dislikes as stated on their Best Practices Database - a component of the RTA Ambassadors online presentation

• Hobbies & Interests - Sourcing activities in the destination, during the RTA Ambassadors  period of stay, to match those stated on their Hobbies & Interests Database - on the RTA Ambassadors online presentation, is a task undertaken by the RTA Local Agent.

• Community Service Opportunities - Organising CS activities as requested and provided by our non-profit organisation VWB  to be included in the RTA Ambassadors programme subject to agreement made with the RTA Local Agent.

Note* On making enquiries, RTA Affiliates will be provided with an EXCEL spreadsheet over the full range of Personalised Services on the database. This will allow them to indicate the PS requirements for each of their client group members so that the RTA Local Agent may accommodate them as best they can. The same will apply for Hobbies & Interests.

Allows you to search for products or services for your programmes by using the 'RTAs vertical search system (region, country, destination, category, price band, best practice compliance, service standard, and more.) This allows them to create a shortlist. Their shortlist is further refined through the use of our research tools: Articles, verified guest comments, and forums. 

The system is designed, and the cost of entry kept low, to ensure equitable market access, opportunity, and an equitable share of tourism revenues, for all micro and small tourism businesses – 70-90% of whom are not represented by mainstream tourism.
Note* RTA Ambassadors can re-prioritise the standard order of the search results listings they shortlist to reflect (a) service standard or (b) best practice compliance scores.

• The VWB Volunteer- Your online profile and presentation - an interactive presentation (a multi-page website) that is 'user name' protected and allows you to hide or show information as you choose. 

• The RTA Local Agent - Has special password enabled access to your online profile, but no editing rights. Can access your personalised service, hobbies & interests & responsible tourism best practices databases, as well as your comment history, barter trade, etc., Can only access your profile when you are working with them.
• Security - All parties sign an agreement when you register protecting each other's data privacy. RTA agrees not to share your identifying information at any time. Access to it (less personal identifiers) will be given to approved RTA Development Partners who will use it for research projects and will make donations to VWB for the privilege. Personal detail (next of kin etc.,) would only be accessed by RTA HQ in an emergency.
• Design Freedom - The online presentation editors have a range of advanced multimedia features that allow you excellent design freedom within a standard template format that is easy to view and use.

In addition to facilitating enquiries, bookings, and payment between the RTA Members and RTA Business Partners, the RTA Local Agents have key roles to play:

• Assistance With Programme Design - They will help you customise a programme for your group.

• Introduction to RTA Local Experts - They will recommend RTA Local Experts for you based on the area of special interest you are covering.

• Local Guide Services - They will provide guides suited to your group demographic and interests.

Are designated routes that radiate out from or between tourism destinations linking many RTA Business Partners offering: accommodations, attractions, activities, workshops, and more - selected because they represent the unique and rewarding travel experiences, that appeal to members of the rapidly growing responsible tourist community. 
Being located along on a tourist route overcomes the challenge of transport costs and time visitors incur if most of their day is spent traveling to and from a particular product or service that interests them – but is just off the beaten track. Being on a tourist route makes it easier for RTA Ambassadors to include your product or service into a customised itinerary.

The content and quality of the programmes RTA Affiliates put together can be greatly enhanced by engaging the services of RTA Local Experts - selected for their in-depth local knowledge of the topics/subjects the programme is designed to cover. 

The RTA Competitions are designed to engage and reward the RTA Membership for contributing to the promotion of the RTA and its membership. Competition Funding - 50% of the member's monthly fees paid to the RTA for marketing & development, and of that app. 50% are earmarked for RTA Competitions.

• Competitions Categories - (1) Travel Quiz (2) Articles, (3) Blog posts, (4) Photography, (5) Video, (6) VWB Assignment Essays.

• Competition Entry Vouchers - You need a verified competition entry voucher to submit entries to competition in each year. 
  They are awarded based on your membership level Bronze = 0, Silver – 1, Gold = 2. Platinum = 3.

• Draw dates - Each competition is drawn, one week after the RTA Barter Dollar 1’000.- 'prize money funding figure' determined for it has been reached. 

• Notification - One week before the draw date The RTA Membership will be notified of the upcoming competition by email and invited to enter competitions. 

• Scoring - Entry rankings will change to reflect the ‘votes’ cast for them, with the entry afforded the highest number of votes – on the draw date – being declared the winner.

• Payment - Payment in RTA Barter Dollars is made into the winning member’s RTA Trade Account – a part of their online profile.

Note* The number of competitions you may enter content for each year is dictated by your membership level. Bronze = 0, Silver – 1, Gold = 2. Platinum = 3.

Is an optional (value added) feature for RTA Business Partners may sign up for or not.
It allows them to accept RTA Barter Dollars won in competitions by RTA Members, to purchase the products and services offered in barter trade at ‘advertised rates’ by the Business Partners. 
It allows the RTA Business Partner to sell additional inventory to:

• Gain additionl exposure for their products or services from those RTA Ambassadors who have RTA Barter Dollars won in competition.

• Benefit from selling inventory at the advertised rate. 

• Use RTA Barter Dollars accepted to pay for RTA  Search Panel (Pay per Click) Advertising. 
• Use RTA to pay for monthly membership fees (50% limit.)

RTA Barter Trading

Step 1. - The RTA Community Members enters & wins RTA Barter Dollars (in a voucher format) in RTA Competiitions. They are deposited in his or her RTA Barter Trade account on their online presentation.

Step 2. - When planning a holiday he or she looks for RTA Business Partners offering 'products and services' in Barter Trade'. The RTA competition winner benefits from the value of the competition prize. The RTA Business Partner benefits from selling inventory at the full advertised rate.

Step 3. Once the RTA Member and the Business Partner (via the RTA Local Agent) have reached agreement on barter trade, and the rest of the Ambassador’s booking has been confirmed, he or she transfers the agreed number of RTA Barter Dollars to cover the trade agreed from his or her RTA Barter Trade account, to that of the RTA Local Agent.

Step 4. - On paying the Business Partner for the booking, the Local Agent pays for (transfers) the agreed value in RTA Barter Dollars (identified by reference number) ito the account of the RTA Business Partner.

You have the option of advertising your business on the main search system display panel where a montage of your images will appear in response to categories and sub-categories selected during searches. These advertisements give your business greater visibility and can be paid for in US$ on a 'pay per click' basis. 

On registering you must decide on your preferred membership level - bronze, silver, gold, platinum - determined by the costs vs benefits for each as explained above.

Your registration will be confirmed by email once payment has been received. You will be sent a unique ID and password that allows you to access the 'user friendly' RTA online editor to manage the content and imagery on your profile. It will also allow you to access forums, upload guest comments, enter competitions, etc. Assistance from VWB Volunteers is available if needed via the RTA Local Agent.

• Your Registration Data – Standard information that will assist us in providing you with a high standard of personalised service, and an equitable deal for your travel experiences.

• Your Online Presentation Data – The additional information that you enter, using the online editor, covering more detailed information on your business. The registration form also includes the following agreements for your electronic signature.

• Using the Online Editor - Your registration will be confirmed by email once payment has been received. You will be sent a unique ID and password that allows you to manage the content and imagery on your profile yourself, as well as to provide authentication for access to forums, guest comments, competitions, etc. Assistance is available if needed, from VWB Volunteers who can be organized by the RTA Local Agent.

• The RTA General Business Agreement – Our assurance that we will not use your data (designated private, shared internally, or public) for any reason other than stipulated without your written consent. You are required to respect our intellectual property rights and to agree to fulfil your role as an RTA Ambassador to the best of your ability.

• RTA Development Partners Data Research Agreement – Authorising us to allow selected RTA Development Partners (university or tourism organisation research groups) access to your information (less your personal or identifying information) to study the responsible tourism industry and the RTA’s role in it. Details of the survey questions would be mailed to you on a case by case basis allowing you to decline participation if you so choose. Bear in mind, we offer this service to RTA Development Partner research groups in exchange for an agreed donation made to Volunteers Without Borders Foundation which is used to fund development projects.

   

For volunteer assignments, contact the Local Agent using the communications and booking log on your online profile, and sharing access to your profile with him or her.
When using the Vertical search in your Ambassador role, proceed as follows:

Step 1. Select Search Type Option.

Step 2. Select the specific region that you are interested in followed by the province or city.

Step 3. Select the category of product or service you are interested in, and the sub-category where relevant.

Step 4. Select the price/market category - (all, budget, tourist, first class.)

Step 5. Select the accessibility criteria.

Step 6. Enter keyword search if needed.

Step 7. Click search to review the refined search results pages (numbers on your shortlist and indicated by the search counter at the bottom of the search fields.)

Step 8. Use the service standard score, or best practice compliance score settings to further refine your search of results listed in order of membership level (bronze, silver, gold, platinum.)

Step 1. You conduct your search and research as described above and then use the communications & booking log on your profile page to submit either an enquiry or your proposed itinerary & timeline on the CGI form provided - to the RTA Local Agent in the destination you are visiting.
Note* We suggest that you include a couple of options for things like accommodation so that you may compare offers made.

Step 2. The RTA Local Agent reviews your itinerary and provides you with a provisional estimate of his or her fees (based on the estimated number of hours/costs involved in putting it together.) He or she agrees to come back to you for approval and with an explanation if that fee estimate changes during the enquiry/booking process.

Step 3. Once you confirm he or she should proceed, the RTA Local Agent contacts the various RTA Business Partners involved in your booking, checking availability, pricing, incentives, ability to meet your stated likes, dislikes, preferences.

Step 4. The RTA Local Agent and reviews your Hobbies & Interests database, (on your profile) to see what matched he can make in his destination, during your visit. 

Step 5. The RTA Local Agent then sends you his or her cost itemised proposal (using the same CGI form). You exchange responses using this same form until you both confirm the services and charges, at which point payment options are agreed the formal quotation is issued - including the requirements for payment of a deposit and the balance.

Note:  All exchanges are conducted using the CGI form in an embedded email system on your profile page. You receive notification of their arrival by email. Emails are time-stamped as part of our service standard monitoring programme.

Verified Guest Comments - Use your booking reference number to submit a CGI based form for upload your comments and score related to (a) service standard, (b) compliance with their stated best practices to the comment section on a specific RTA Business Partner's online profile. 
On doing so you will be invited to tick a 'positive comment' box - in which case the comment will be uploaded automatically, or a 'negative comment' box - in which case the RTA Business Partner will be copied on it so that their response, if any, may be uploaded along with your comment.

Travel Articles, Video, Photography - You have taken on or offsite whilst visiting them can be copied to (a) the individual RTA Business Partner, (b) the RTA Local Agent, (c) submitted to the appropriate RTA competition (from your gallery) - to promote the individual RTA Business Partner and the Tourist Route they are located along.

You may also win the competition you enter earning yourself valuable RTA Barter Dollars - to be used on your next booking.

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