SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The following is an opinion editorial provided by White Space and written by Robert J. Wagman, Former World Almanac Editor:
American author, Horace Greeley, is credited for the quote, “Go west, young man, and grow up with the country”–first stated in 1851. People listened. There are but a few nations, now, with travel statistics that match the State of California. Last year, $100 billion in direct travel expenses nurtured nearly a million travel industry jobs in the state and brought $6 billion in local and state taxes. Two hundred million domestic trips and another 15 million foreign visits have created an unprecedented monster industry continuing to grow, thanks to new technology and “going west.”
The California Attorney General’s office is committed to eliminating the relatively few hustlers in the travel industry who take advantage of travelers with a full menu of scams. The office oversees the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC), established in 1994, enabling the state to lead the United States in repayments to travelers for the past 20 years.
One of the state’s leading industry watchdogs is a successful travel and meeting management executive whose firm was recognized by “INC. MAGAZINE” as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the nation and the only disabled veteran business owner on the list. Michael Patton is president and CEO of Pothos, Inc., a San Diego-based agency that has been honored by that city and the Small Business Administration.
Earlier this year, Patton was elected to serve as both VP and Treasurer of the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). “We are determined to work with other travel industry leaders to repair the damage done by a few ‘bad guys’ who victimize consumers,” Patton said.
While the TCRC is a private corporation and not an official government agency, oversight by the office of the Attorney General gives it leverage in resolving disputes. Funds are given to victims of firms that go bankrupt or who default on agreements. Industry leaders say they take seriously, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris’ inaugural promise in 2011, when she said “We are going to do whatever it takes—and catch hell if necessary—in the cause of protecting the lives and livelihood of all Californians, by moving forward beyond the status quo.”
Travel industry fraud should stop here.
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