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Ethics


Ski Travel and Packages


The following information was presented by Lance Cygielman at the March 2001 Network at Whistler.


Code of Ethics


All members of SkiTops – Tour Operators and Allied – subscribe to the highest standards of professionalism and, by accepting membership, agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of SkiTops

The Code is comprised of Principles and Rules, and Procedures for enforcement.

The Principles represent the highest standards of conduct towards which all members should strive, and represent the overriding concepts from which the specific rules are derived.

The Rules are mandatory. They state the minimum level of conduct below which no member of SkiTops can fall without being subject to disciplinary action. The rules are uniformly applied to all members.

The Procedures set forth the process by which violators of the rules will be investigated and disciplined. Disciplinary action, which may be imposed by the Ethics Committee or the Executive Committee of SkiTops, may range from a reprimand to suspension or expulsion from membership in SkiTops.

Principal I

SkiTops members are travel professionals and should always strive to maintain the highest professional standards.

  • Rules for All Members

    1. No Member shall publish information about another member unless a reliable source is checked.

    2. No Members shall misrepresent his or her SkiTops membership status.

    3. No Member shall use the SkiTops name or insignia except to designate his or her membership, and no member can use the official SkiTops stationary except for the conduct of official business of SkiTops.

    4. Members shall work together to solve problems rather than pointing fingers.

    5. Members shall not engage in conduct that embarrasses SkiTops or that will otherwise harm its reputation or professionalism.
    Principal II

    SkiTops members should conduct business in a professional manner.

  • Rules for Tour Operator Members

    1. No Member shall book on speculation in a manner that creates lost business scenarios for Supplier Members.

    2. Members shall honor and comply with all terms of contractual agreements.

    3. Members shall adequately inform clients of terms and policies that will be pertinent to them.
  • Rules for Supplier Members

    1. No Member shall put net rates on portfolios.

    2. No Member shall contact a referred customer by direct mail and intentionally exclude opportunities for the client to book through a tour operator.

    3. No Member shall offer discounts to a referred customer if they book direct without making all reasonable efforts to make sure the discounts are available and commissionable to contracted tour operators.

    4. No Member shall raise rates once contracts are signed or rates are distributed.
    Principal III

    SkiTops members should maintain the highest standards of professionalism on Familiarization Trips

  • Rules for All Members

    1. No Member shall deliberately misrepresent the status of a participant on familiarization trips.

    2. All assistants accompanying a member on a Fam trip shall be fully qualified assistants; all others accompanying a member must be identified as guests. The participation of guests on Fam trips is subject to the restrictions of the host and at no time shall a guest attend in place of a member.

    3. A member shall personally pay for all services required by that member that are personal, or over and above the services voluntarily provided by the host.
    Procedures

    SkiTops shall discipline members found guilty of violations of the Code of Ethics, as well as for conduct detrimental to the best interests of SkiTops.

    1. Complaints of suspected violations of any rule of SkiTops Code of Ethics must be made in writing, signed by the complainant(s), and sent to SkiTops Executive Director.

    2. The Executive Director will immediately forward copies of the complaint to the members of the Ethics Committee and President

    3. The Ethics Committee will promptly investigate all complaints forwarded to it and, within 60 days, shall determine if the complaint shall be dismissed, investigated further, or set for a hearing.

    4. If the complaint is dismissed, the Ethics Committee will notify the complainant(s) and the president of the committee's decision, which shall be final.

    5. If the Ethics Committee determines that the complaint should be investigated further, the committee shall notify the member of the complaint and by whom it was made, and advise him or her of the right to present evidence relating to the complaint. The Ethics Committee may interview by telephone, by mail, or in person, either members or others who have information relevant to the complaint.

    6. I the Ethics Committee determines after further investigation that a violation has occurred for which a reprimand is appropriate, the committee shall prepare a written report detailing its finding of the facts, the nature of the misconduct so established, and the form of the reprimand imposed; a copy of the report will be sent to the charged party, the complainant(s), and the President. The decision of the Ethics Committee shall be final unless appealed by the charged party to the Executive Committee within 60 days of the decision; the request for an appeal must be made within that time frame by certified mail to the President's office.

    7. If the ethics Committee determines after further investigation that a violation has occurred for which suspension or expulsion from membership may be appropriate, the Ethics Committee shall hold a hearing by telephone conference call or at a location mutually convenient for all parties. Notice shall be given to the charged party, the complainant(s), and the President at least 60 days prior to the date set for the hearing. The charged party may appear with counsel at his or her own expense. The Chairman of the Ethics Committee shall preside over the hearing, which shall be conducted in an informal manner, with or without the presence of SkiTops legal counsel. At the option of the charged party, a hearing may be waived and the complaint resolved by documents submitted in response by both the charged party and the complainant(s). After the conclusion of the hearing, the full committee shall decide by four-fifths vote to suspend or expel the charged member. The decision of the Ethics Committee shall be final unless appealed by the charged party to the Executive Committee within 60 days of the decision; the request for an appeal must be made within that time frame by certified mail to the President's office.

    8. Upon any appeal filed by a charged party subject to reprimand, suspension or expulsion, the Executive Committee shall hold a hearing by telephone conference call or at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. The charged party may appear at the appeal hearing with counsel at his or her own expense. The President shall preside over the hearing, which shall be conducted in an informal manner, with or without the presence of SkiTops legal counsel. At the option of the charged party, a hearing may be waived and the complaint resolved by documents submitted in response by both the charged party and the complainant(s). After the conclusion of the hearing, the full committee shall decide by four-fifths vote (with the President not voting) to uphold or reverse the decision of the Ethics Committee.

    9. All proceedings of the Ethics Committee and all appeal proceedings of the Executive Committee shall be held in closed sessions, unless open sessions are requested by the charged party. All evidence submitted to either committee shall be maintained in the strictest of confidence.

    10. A suspension may be imposed for any definite period of time. At the conclusion of the suspension period, no formal action is required for reinstatement of membership. A member who is expelled cannot be reinstated or reapply for membership.
    Disciplinary action may range from a reprimand to suspension to expulsion from membership in SkiTops.

    Code of Ethics Conclusion

    The Rules are mandatory.

    The Rules are uniformly applied to all members.

    Code of Ethics Implementation

    Cost: $0.00

    Duration: Long term standards


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    California, U.S.A. 95819
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