ABTA CALLS GENERAL MEETING TO BOOST CUSTOMER PROTECTION
Date published: 10 September 2009In response to developments in the travel industry this year, ABTA has called a General Meeting at ABTA’s office at 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ at 12.00 pm, on 2 October. Members will be invited to vote on proposals to change the Articles of the Association which will strengthen customer protection for those booking with an ABTA Member.
This year has seen a large number of consumers affected when travel agents have failed and the suppliers of accommodation have refused to fulfil bookings that they have not been paid for. This has resulted in very damaging press coverage for the industry as a whole, and in credit card merchant acquirers requesting additional security from travel companies.
The main change ABTA Members will be asked to vote on is to ensure all ABTA Members take responsibility for money paid by their customers to companies through whom they distribute their travel services.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said: “This is an important point of principle, and the change will bring clarity to Members and customers alike. ABTA Members operate a range of business models, and we are happy to let these flourish. But the principle that an ABTA Member is responsible for money taken through an agent, or sub-agent, applies to all.
The proposed change to our Articles will reinforce the value of the ABTA brand to consumers which is after all an important reason for Members to join ABTA.These are challenging times and it has never been more important for consumers to have confidence in the travel companies they choose.“
ABTA is also inviting members to vote on a proposal to change the qualifications for membership so that applicants for membership or continued membership would be subject to greater scrutiny in respect of previous directorships of failed companies, and on a proposal to provide a greater restriction on the use of trading names that have been associated with failed companies.
For further information
Sean Tipton, Communications Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712 325
Casia Zajac, Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515, Mobile: 0754 592 7411
Out of Hours: Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
Notes to editors
ABTA has delivered proposals to reform the ATOL scheme to the CAA in response to their consultation. These proposals will ensure that all holidaymakers are protected by a scheme of financial protection, not just those who buy a package holiday.ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators.
ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its Members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements.
In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.
As part of its comprehensive package of services to members, ABTA, as a non-party political organisation provides an effective voice to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers at the highest levels. In the UK, these include government ministers, constituency MPs, Select Committee members, senior civil servants and members of the political opposition parties.
