26 May
2022

ABTA highlights importance of talking to customers about health, safety and security

ABTA is encouraging Members to remind customers to take steps to keep themselves safe on holiday, by sharing its health, safety and security advice and resources with customers ahead of their trips abroad and while in destination.

The Association has a range of materials to help Members provide important health, safety and security information to customers. The materials include an updated leaflet which provides essential information and advice on steps people can take prior to travel and whilst away to stay safe. The leaflet can be embedded within emails, hosted on Members’ websites and in their customer apps, and is easy to read on any device including mobile phones or tablets. 

Health and safety topics covered include swimming, balcony use, activities such as riding quad bikes and mopeds and advice for young holidaymakers.

ABTA’s work on health, safety and security is an important and highly valued service for Members. As well as providing information that Members can share with customers, ABTA also provides advice and expertise to Members, the wider industry and destinations, through working in partnership and publishing materials to support in this area, such as its Health and Safety technical guide which can be found at www.abta.com/member-zone/operational-support/health-safety

ABTA has been liaising with destinations and Members regarding health, safety and security measures in the run up to travel reopening but says it is also important customers take steps to keep themselves safe when abroad.

Angela Hills, Head of Destinations at ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“Holidays are a time for fun and relaxation, but customers also need to take care of themselves and look out for each other.   

“For many people, this year will be the first time they have been abroad for almost three years – so we’re encouraging our Members to remind customers of the steps people can take to stay safe when travelling including around swimming, using balconies and booking excursions.

“Travel agents and tour operators are well placed to offer friendly reminders about what people can do to keep safe – whether that’s in pre-departure information or in hotels on arrival, there are lots of opportunities to get the message across and we have resources to help Members do that.”

ABTA’s health and safety resources can be found in ABTA’s MemberZone at www.abta.com/member-zone/running-your-business/abta-marketing-toolkit/customer-information.

 

Notes to editors

ABTA has been a trusted travel brand for over 70 years. Our purpose is to help our Members to grow their businesses successfully and sustainably, and to help their customers travel with confidence. 

The ABTA brand stands for support, protection and expertise. This means consumers have confidence in ABTA and a strong trust in ABTA Members. These qualities are core to us as they ensure that holidaymakers remain confident in the holiday products that they buy from our Members. 

We help our Members and their customers navigate through today's changing travel landscape by raising standards in the industry; offering schemes of financial protection; providing an independent complaints resolution service should something go wrong; giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety and by presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.

ABTA has around 4,000 travel brands in Membership, providing a wide range of leisure and business travel services, with a combined pre-pandemic annual UK turnover of £40 billion. For more details about what we do, what being an ABTA Member means and how we help the UK public travel with confidence visit www.abta.com.