2019 Tennessee Code
Title 47 - Commercial Instruments and Transactions
Chapter 18 - Consumer Protection
Part 1 - Consumer Protection Act of 1977
§ 47-18-130. Travel promoters -- Commingling of funds prohibited -- Trust account.
(a) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Travel promoter” means a person who sells, provides, furnishes, contracts for, or arranges travel services for a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration. “Travel promoter” does not include a transportation carrier if the carrier provides, furnishes, contracts for, or arranges only transportation services that are directly provided by the transportation carrier as the substantial portion of the transportation carrier's business; and
(2) “Travel services” means arranging or booking vacation or travel packages, travel reservations, or travel accommodations.
(b)
(1) A travel promoter shall not commingle in the same account or fund those funds that belong to the travel promoter or the travel promoter's business entity with customer funds that are held for disbursement for payment of travel services.
(2) A travel promoter shall deposit into a trust account any funds the travel promoter receives from a customer for disbursement for payment of travel services.
(c)
(1) Each travel promoter that conducts business in this state shall establish and maintain a separate general trust account in a state or national bank authorized by law to administer trust funds in this state.
(2) Funds required by subsection (b) to be deposited in a trust account must be identified or earmarked with an identifier unique to the customer or transaction for which the funds were deposited and are being held for disbursement.
(d) A violation of this section constitutes an unfair or deceptive act prohibited under § 47-18-104, and is punishable as provided in this part. Each act in violation of this section constitutes a separate violation.
