Testimonials

ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 3,900 travel brands in membership who have a combined pre-pandemic annual UK turnover of £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.

If you're interested in joining, please visit abta.com/join.

“As a new brand entering the travel market, ABTA was a key part of our consumer toolkit. ABTA is still one of the most trusted and recognised memberships in the travel sector and therefor a crucial partnership to have in place from the beginning of our journey. Immediately utilising the ABTA marketing toolkit as part of our always on brand awareness has been a fantastic asset to growing our brand trust and gaining customer confidence.

Since joining ABTA, the majority of the team have attended at least one of the many training courses and seminars that take place year round with ABTA, which has aided their development and knowledge growth in their respective areas – and provided some fantastic networking opportunities.

We also have taken advantage of the ABTA Travel Money services, allowing us to quickly and efficiently offer foreign exchange to our clients with minimal set up.

All in all, ABTA has and will continue to be an integral partnership, with every touch point being a positive experience for both our customers and for the business!”

John Milburn – Holiday Best

"I have been privileged to have supported ABTA in the non-executive position of Chairman for the last 5 years and added the perspective of an Agent/Operator to the important work ABTA carry out.

In my own business, I am proud to use the ABTA badge in all our marketing as a trusted brand and uphold the code all members agree to. The independent ADR service is a great help when there is a disagreement with a client, as one example of the many services we use.

Overall, the legal support and destination specialism are 2 services we find very useful, and not to forget the valuable lobbying ABTA do with Government to ensure the industry rules, costs and governance stay at a sensible level."

Alistair Rowland – Blue Bay Travel and ABTA Chairman

"At Inspire Europe our membership with ABTA is key to our strategy.  As well as our membership giving us access to all their market-leading resources, the strength of the ABTA brand in the eyes of UK consumers, plays a key role in helping us both retain customers and attract new ones.

We use a number of the services offered by ABTA, including the helpful membership function who are always on hand to support our team of travel professionals or simply offer them reassurance in certain circumstances.  The ABTA team also helps guide us in areas where there are complaints, as well as assists us in educating our clients correctly when it comes to their consumer rights.

The monthly industry calls, which are free to all members, provide a great source of information and the updates given always ensure that we are ahead of the game. Due to the fact that the calls are recorded, means that all employees at Inspire are able to benefit from them at a time that is convenient to them. The ABTA training courses are also an invaluable resource available to us, and given they are aimed at different levels of staff, it means we can plan to send the right people to the most appropriate training sessions. 

At Inspire we truly value our close working relationship with ABTA and strongly believe that the brand and the organisation plays an important role in our ongoing business success."

Lisa Henning – Inspire by Travel

“With many coach companies operating their own holiday programme in the UK and Europe, the trusted knowledge and guidance from RHA Coaches is already well used. To sit alongside ABTA’s long-standing brand, support, industry knowledge and the first-class ABTA team,  I have no doubt will help guide and shape the industry for years to come.

I have recently become ABTA bonded for my own Jason Edwards Travel business, and it certainly gives our customers further peace of mind being associated with the iconic ABTA brand.  Also, a joint voice on UK and European legislation can only be a benefit to operators and its customers. This new partnership clearly is a win, win for UK businesses.”

Jason Edwards – Jason Edwards Travel

“Baldwins Travel has been a member of ABTA for 33 years. Being a member of ABTA is so important to us but more importantly it gives our clients the re-assurance and further confidence to book with a trusted Travel Agency. We never underestimate the value of our membership.”

“Personally, I have sat on the Aviation committee, and it is, in my opinion, important that members give back to the Travel community and I would urge members to look at supporting ABTA, be it on sustainability or something that member is passionate about so they can help our fantastic Travel Community”

Nick Marks – Baldwins Travel

"What I love about ABTA is the vast amount of behind the scenes support and advice that is available from finance to legal and much more in-between.

In the last five years there has been a vast amount of changes in legislation impacting our industry and it is reassuring that we have the experts at ABTA available free to give us a clear understanding of how each of our businesses is affected."

Graeme Brett – Westoe Travel

"ABTA has since around 1980 played a significant part in my career, and working life.

I started attending ABTA Regional Meetings, which then were six times a year, so as to be up to date with the industry. Plus the opportunity to network within the travel industry. Even when I found myself working for Pickfords Travel through acquisition, I still attended, although we were actually not allowed.

For the last 30 years I have had my own travel company, as well as being a CEO of a consortium, and Consultant to a major group. During all this time I have found ABTA invaluable in so many ways.

In addition, ABTA lobby UK Government, which I could not conduct on my own.

The ABTA brand plays a significant part in our business at Kinver Travel Centre on a daily basis. It is extremely important to have the ABTA logo in the window, so much so we had our own decal made for our window. This ABTA message continues to be noticed by our customers, as we hear them comment from inside, whilst they are looking at the offers. 

ABTA can easily be your best travel friend, always there to help, support and advise."

Sue Foxall – Kinver Travel

"The ABTA Members Helpline is an invaluable service for all those occasions when you need to check up to date information or reassurance on the ever changing regulations.  I would highly recommend other agents use this free service especially when facing a difficult client situation.

The ABTA Regional meetings are really informative and an opportunity for members to meet the ABTA Head Office team, it is also a great way to socialise with other agents and tour operators in a relaxed business environment.

I encourage all members to sign up for the ABTA Operational Bulletins which monitor world events, updates on the FCDO travel advise, travel health updates and all significant events or incidents that may affect your clients. These can be received simply by email."

Jackie Steadman – Traveltime World

"I very much continue to enjoy my role representing Scotland on the ABTA Council of Regions. This position not only brings you into contact with ABTA members in your own area but allows you to widen your industry network through meeting other Council representatives from around the UK together of course, with the ABTA team. It also helps you to recognise the huge value of being an ABTA member and the wide range of assistance and guidance that is always readily available.

I would strongly recommend you to consider joining the ABTA Council of Regions, should the opportunity arise to represent your own region.

I very much continue to enjoy my role representing Scotland on the ABTA Council of Regions. This position not only brings you into contact with ABTA members in your own area but allows you to widen your industry network through meeting other Council representatives from around the UK together of course, with the ABTA team. It also helps you to recognise the huge value of being an ABTA member and the wide range of assistance and guidance that is always readily available.

I would strongly recommend you to consider joining the ABTA Council of Regions, should the opportunity arise to represent your own region."

Roddie MacPhee – Barrhead Travel

"There is a vast array of excellent resources available for ABTA members on sustainability and responsible tourism. Whether you’re just starting out and need to formulate an action plan using the Sustainability Assessment Tool, or whether you’re further down the line needing specific resources on environmental standards, human rights, local impactor animal welfare, there is guidance and research available to you. There is also a comprehensive resource on Animal Welfare, including how you can use and implement the ABTA-formed guidelines and information in how to form your own. The work that ABTA had already put in to this was instrumental in helping me start to form my own responsible policies."

Ashley Quint – Traveltime World

"Dawson & Sanderson have been established in the travel industry for more than 60 years with most of that time as an ABTA member. Our commitment to our clients to provide the highest level of service aligns perfectly with the ABTA code of conduct which forms the backbone of our service standards. That, and the financial protection and peace of mind ABTA provides our clients, is of utmost importance to us and has supported our longstanding position as a leading travel agent. The guidance that Victor and the team at ABTA have given to Dawson & Sanderson in the latter years following Covid and during our restructure has been unwavering.  We always felt comfortable asking for advice and we never felt intimidated when making contact. We are sure Dawson & Sanderson will continue providing quality travel agency services supported by the team at ABTA for many, many years to come."

Judith Alderson – Dawson & Sanderson

“I think being a member of ABTA is vitality important for my business. It gives me the credibility I need to help my business thrive.

As well as this ABTA are there to help support me when I need it with online guidance as well as being contactable by email or phone.

Having access to daily emails that keep me up to date on any important changes or developments within destinations or the wider travel industry really help me stay one step ahead and be the local font of travel knowledge for my customers.”

Shaun Taylor – Inspire Travel by Shaun

“For over 70 years, customers have looked for the ABTA logo when booking their package holidays, knowing that it is synonymous with first rate service, expert travel advice and a straightforward complaints resolution process should something go wrong. This sense of trust is paramount in today’s climate and as such, our ABTA membership is of paramount importance to us. Simplexity Travel has always prided itself on its high standards and the extra security the ABTA accreditation gives our customers plays a fundamental part in this.”

Mark Smith, Simplexity Travel

"As a longstanding member of ABTA for over 31 years, I can confidently attest to the immense value their membership has brought to Broadland Travel Worldchoice. The security and prestige associated with ABTA have not only instilled trust among our clients but have also provided us with a solid framework to operate within.

ABTA's helplines have been an indispensable resource for us, offering expert guidance on various aspects of business operations. Whether it's navigating legal requirements or seeking advice on complex issues, their support has been invaluable.

Moreover, ABTA's assistance has extended beyond mere compliance, with their insightful advice playing a crucial role in driving our business forward. From handling challenging situations to charting strategic growth plans, their expertise has been instrumental every step of the way.

I am honored to share our positive experience with ABTA and would highly recommend their membership to any travel business seeking reliability, support, and growth opportunities. Broadland Travel Worldchoice is proud to be associated with ABTA, and we look forward to continuing this fruitful partnership for years to come."

Nick Lee – Broadland Travel

"Acomb Travel in York has been a proud member of ABTA since 1977. We have used many of the services they offer including financial, legal and marketing and have always found them extremely helpful.

Both agents and public alike know the importance of belonging to such an organisation which stands for so much within the travel industry."

Eric Walton – Acomb Travel