Smithsonian travel agency riles others
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The Smithsonian Institution’s non-competitive contract giving a US travel agency exclusive use of the Smithsonian name continues to anger other agencies two years after the deal was first struck, Washington Post reported.
It said several agencies have been talking with the Smithsonian to relook its contract with Education First whose agency arm goes by the name Smithsonian Student Travel.
The agency has been doing well, organising group tours of Washington, which includes the museum complex as well as other sights.
According to Jim Hall, the president of WorldStrides, a veteran travel group, his competitor’s use of the museum’s name gave teachers and students the impression that Smithsonian Student Travel was part of the government and therefore official.
“For me I feel we are competing against the US government. Maybe they are not the government but they are close,” Hall was quoted saying.
The Post said the Smithsonian was standing by the contract.
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