In order to “sell travel” in California you are required to register with the state, obtain a registration number and display it conspicuously on your advertising. Usually it is displayed on the bottom of the advertisement or if it is a company website on the bottom of the homepage. In most instances it is referred to as a “CST #.” Wherever it is, it must be displayed “conspicuously.”

You may come across sellers of travel in California who do not have a CST number. If they meet the criteria requiring one but fail to register and display their number conspicuously on any advertisement they are in violation of the law.

Find an advertisement for a seller of travel and locate their “CST number.” Once you have their CST number go to the California State Attorney General website. Follow the instructions therein and enter the CST number to obtain a one page information sheet on the seller of travel. Print and bring that sheet to class. In addition, answer the following questions:

1.) What are the main purposes of the California Seller of Travel Law? (What protections does it offer?)

2.) Does the California Seller of Travel Law ensure a travel agent is reputable?

3.) How does the California Seller of Travel compensate consumers for monetary losses from registered travel agencies?

4.) Why should you care about a CST registration number? How does it assist you as a consumer?

www.TRAVELLAW.com

Our guest speaker, Alexander Anolik, is the foremost travel law attorney in the country. His website, www.travellaw.com, is a wealth of information. In anticipation for his upcoming guest speaker appearance you are to go to his web site and do the following:

1.) Define “travel law.”

2.) Name two types of legal disclosure forms discussed on the site.

3.) Name the subject matter of two of Mr. Anolik’s TV interviews.

4.) Name two books written by Mr. Anolik.

5.) Draft one question about consumers’ rights, travel law, the travel industry and/or the material covered in this course that you would like our visiting expert to address.