Travel Regulations Conference

As the industry faces political uncertainty and awaits final proposals on ATOL  and PTR reform, this conference will ensure you are fully aware and prepared for any legal and regulatory changes in coming months.  

This comprehensive event is your one-stop-shop for a regulatory, political & economic update and insight into managing risk and financial protection, Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) reporting and consumer rights. This year’s conference will cover the latest changes to consumer law coming into force this autumn and of course provide the annual case law update and its implications for your travel business.

As the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act makes its way through Parliament, discover the impact this will have on the travel industry including enhanced powers to the CMA and CAA, individuals’ liability and guidance on fake reviews.

Don’t miss the industry’s essential regulatory event tailored specifically for travel companies. Receive trusted advice and guidance from a comprehensive line up of travel leaders and network with industry peers. 

• Political update: what can the travel industry expect from the new political landscape?
• Understanding the current economic climate and its impact
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) regulation 
• Panel discussion: getting to grips with ESG
• Package Travel Regulations reform
• European package travel update
• ATOL processes and options
• The regulators fight back - EU Digital Markets Acts
• Panel discussion: the impact of changes to consumer rights law
• Travel claims and litigation 
• Recent case law and liabilities update.

Moderator: Simon Bunce, Director of Legal Affairs, ABTA

Simon is a solicitor and ABTA’s Director of Legal Affairs and Company Secretary having joined ABTA as a Legal Adviser in 1996. Simon’s team is responsible for the provision of legal and regulatory guidance to ABTA members; the advice and alternative dispute resolution services to customers of ABTA members; and for the operation and enforcement of ABTA’s Code of Conduct. Simon is co-author, with Professor David Grant and Stephen Mason, of Holiday Law - The Law Relating to Travel and Tourism 6th Ed.

Speakers include:

• Susan Deer, Director of Industry Relations, ABTA
• Sophie Williams, Senior Legal Advisor, Dnata travel group
• Neil Baylis, Partner, CMS
• Paula Macfarlane, Senior Solicitor, ABTA
• Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs, ABTA
• Matt Gatenby, Senior Partner, Travlaw
• Catalina Fuentes-Benitez, ESG Legal Lead, easyJet Group 
• Justine Grimley, Operations Manager, Advertising Standards Agency
• Alexander Goransson, Senior Consultant, Euromonitor 
• Katharine Bailey, Barrister, 3 Hare Court
• Craig Belsham, Assistant Director, Partnerships and International Consumer Team, Consumer and Competition Policy Directorate, Department for Business and Trade
• Rachel Jordan, Director of Membership and Financial Protection, ABTA
• Lisa Kingman, Head of Financial Protection, ABTA
• Michael Budge, Head of ATOL, Civil Aviation Authority
• Aidan Thomson, Partner, Weightmans
• Nick Barker, Principal Associate, Weightmans
• Toni Boswell, Head of Guest Relations & Legal Affairs, Hotelplan
• Ami Naru, Partner, Head of Employment, Travlaw

Additional speakers will include expert lawyers from ABTA Partner firms, industry case studies and regulatory experts.

• Receive trusted advice and guidance from industry leaders and legal experts 
• Gain clarity and an update on regulatory issues impacting the travel industry
• Take part in interactive panel sessions around industry issues 
• Hear presentations and discussion on the regulatory issues facing the travel industry - the impact of PTRs reform; future of financial protection; ESG reporting and much more
• Listen to industry perspectives from leading travel businesses on the challenges they face and how they overcome them
• Network with expert speakers, peers and colleagues during the breaks and drinks reception
• Stay up to date and gain insight into future legal and regulatory issues impacting the travel industry.

The event is ideal for anyone working in the travel industry including large and SME firms, including:

• Legal Counsel and in-house legal teams
• Risk, finance and commercial teams 
• MDs and directors 
• Law firms
• Compliance and operations specialists
• Those who have legal, governance or regulatory responsibilities as part of their role.
   

ABTA member/ABTA Partner rates*

Early bird rate – £279 plus VAT
Standard Rate  – £319 plus VAT

Non-member rates

Early bird rate – £439 plus VAT
Standard rate – £479 plus VAT 

Early bird rates have expired for this event. 

This includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day, all delegate materials, presentations and an attendee certificate. 

Make payment by credit or debit card. 

View our booking terms and conditions here.

Discounts

• Book three places and get 50% off the third place.
  ^{(This discount will be automatically applied when you book online.)}
• If you are looking to book for a larger group please contact events@abta.co.uk for a bespoke discount.

*To qualify for the ABTA member/Partner discount you must have a current ABTA member/Partner number or your application must be in progress when the event takes place.

Non-members are welcome to attend. For information about becoming a member click here.

Venue partner

CMS is a full service law firm with more than 70 offices in over 40 countries and 5,800+ lawyers worldwide. We are focused on building strong relationships with our clients, our people, our industry sectors and wider communities. As a full service firm, we are able to advise members across their entire business needs, such as mergers and acquisitions, new hotel and resort developments, significant litigation, industry investigations, insolvency disputes and complex regulatory questions especially where there is an international dimension. CMS lawyers are genuine experts in their fields and can advise on current challenges as well as anticipate those on the horizon. We have extensive experience in the travel sector as part of our market leading hotels and leisure practice, including advice for airlines, hotel groups, service providers, and more.

Event partners

3 Hare Court is a leading set with over 40 highly specialised barristers (including silks) providing a range of advocacy and advisory services both domestically and internationally.
Known for our travel and cross-border work, our expertise is recognised by the legal directories and clients. 
We provide specialist advice and representation in all areas of the field. As the only Chambers ABTA partner, we have in-depth knowledge of the travel sector and package travel regulations. Our strong travel team act on behalf of insurers, tour operators, travel agents, airlines, and hoteliers.
We pride ourselves on being friendly and approachable, providing unrivalled expertise, with clients’ needs at the heart of all we do.

Deka Chambers is recognised as the pre-eminent travel law set, offering some of the leading silks and juniors at the travel law Bar. Known for their expertise, the team specialises in the full range of cross-border disputes: private international law, package travel claims, international carriage conventions and contractual recovery. Members are regularly instructed on both sides of the Court, including instructions from leading tour operators, airlines, cruise operators, trade associations, tourist boards, charities and insurers. They are described by the directories as having “a first class knowledge of travel matters and are very approachable and helpful."

ABTA Partner+ Travlaw Legal Services Limited are 100% committed to serving the travel and leisure industry – from tour operators and travel agents to airlines, hotel groups, event management companies and their insurers. We pride ourselves on being one of the top travel law firms in the UK. We are a large, experienced team of highly professional yet approachable lawyers who are tried and tested specialists in advising.

At Weightmans we bring together experts from across our full-service business to cover all the legal bases for our travel clients – and to achieve the right commercial outcomes for them. Whether it’s advice on insurance claims, cyber strategies, ESG or commercial contracts, we can help. Through our 9 UK offices we have both the experience and resources to deal with the most complex legal needs, both locally and internationally via Insurance Law Global and our extensive informal network. 

Our relationships are based on a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and consistently delivering results and exceeding expectations. As a leading player in the travel space, we have a proven track record in getting the right results for our clients which include tour and cruise operators, hotel companies, airlines and coach operators – and their insurers.  

For information on how to promote your company at this event, please contact Sara Dolan on 07766 517 611 or email sdolan@abta.co.uk.