Use of Travel Services for Official Government Travel

The question was raised as to why travel agents are prohibited from providing travel services for official government travel. There are a variety of reasons for this prohibition. They include: (1) concern that it would cost more than dealing directly with the carrier; (2) concern that higher fares would result from the airlines' payment of commissions to the travel agents; (3) the administrative costs of changing the procedures; and (4) travel agents' lack of familiarity with statutes and regulations concerning government travel. The allegation that the prohibition discriminates against small business is unfounded, especially since the larger travel agencies would benefit the most as they would be better able to meet the travel demands of large Goverment agencies. However, any agency may now submit a plan to GAO which provides reasonable evidence that the use of travel agents would result in a more efficient and less costly travel operation. In this way, travel agents may demonstrate their use will be beneficial to the government.