Whenever the ABTA team meets face to face with members, we always hear important insights and feedback about your businesses, as well as giving you another way to speak with ABTA’s experts and understand more about how we can help you thrive. 
 
This year we’ve introduced some new initiatives to bring ABTA and members together, including hosting ‘New Member Open Days,’ the first of which was held at ABTA’s office last week. 
 
Attendees heard about ABTA’s range of services, from membership support to the value of the ABTA brand and how to harness that in your business. We also discussed the role of the Code of Conduct in setting high standards of service, as well as our offers around financial protection, sustainability, destinations, legal support, ABTA’s events, and much more.
 
Members updated us on their businesses and current trading and asked the ABTA team questions. Details of the next Open Day will be circulated in the autumn.
 
Also new this year is the revamped ABTA Engagement Programme – which sees us get together with members across the UK. The programme is a combination of ABTA-hosted events and ABTA colleagues attending meetings where members are already gathering locally, such as the Travel Gossip roadshow and other trade events.
 
The next ABTA-hosted event is 4th July in Manchester, followed by 18th July in London and then we’ll be at the Yorkshire Ball in Leeds (20th July). You can see the full programme here. 

Last week the ABTA Chairman, Alistair Rowland, had one of our regular meetings with the members of our Council of Regions. The discussions were wide-ranging and it was interesting to hear from the agent community about the rising consumer demands for responsible travel. As you will see from today’s newsletter, I’m really pleased that Richard Slater, who is Chair of the North West region on the Council of Regions, was selected by the other ABTA regional chairs to be put forward for appointment to the Board. Richard’s appointment brings further retail travel agency experience to the Board.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive