19 Apr
2018

How we’re helping Members prepare for PTD

After much anticipation, the Package Travel Regulations were published on the Government’s website earlier this week – which gives travel businesses about 75 days to get everything in place to be compliant by 1 July.

ABTA’s experts have reviewed the Regulations and they are pretty much as we expected, we are seeking some clarification from Government on wording, but the conversations we’ve had in the recent months (and years!) about what is changing and how to prepare is all still relevant.

ABTA will be publishing an updated 12 steps to PTD guide very shortly, which will then be followed by further, more detailed, guidance and model documents.

In May we will hold two conference calls/webcasts – one giving an overview about what is changing and the other will look specifically at Linked Travel Arrangements. Invites to these sessions will go out next week. PTD is also a topic we are discussing at the regional business meetings.

ABTA is also offering a one-day training seminar for travel agencies who require additional practical guidance. The New Package Travel Regulations for Travel Agencies event will take place in Birmingham on 1 May. There is a special rate for travel agents, Member discounts and group discounts are also available. PTR will also feature in ABTA’s annual Travel Law seminar on 22-23 May which also has discounts for Members.

There is plenty of guidance on the Memberzone already, and I do encourage you to look through this while we make sure our updated guidance reflects the wording of the regulations. Abta.com/ptdhub will be the place to find new and existing information.

We’ve also had more details this week on the review into airline insolvency, as the Government published a call for evidence on Monday.  As I wrote recently, the review into airline insolvency is a welcome and necessary step. During the review process ABTA will be pushing for an outcome which sees a clear and consistent approach applied when an airline fails. We are keen to get Members’ views to inform our response to the review and will be launching a consultation with Members shortly, please look out for details on the Member Zone.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive