There is just 24 hours to share your feedback and insight with ABTA on the draft ATOL regulations and draft standard terms.

While many of the changes to ATOL serve to support the implementation of the Package Travel Directive, there are also additional proposals which go beyond the scope of the directive. We want to hear from Members about the proposals and what they will mean for their businesses, in order to help inform our response to the consultations by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Earlier this week, ABTA’s Director of Legal Affairs Simon Bunce and Senior Solicitor Paula Macfarlane held a conference call with Members to explain the draft proposals and particular areas where we want Members’ feedback. Questions from Members touched on issues such as selling holidays to customers in the EU but not in the UK, and the ATOL renewals process in October. You can listen again to the full presentation and Q&A session in the Member Zone.

Our ATOL consultation with Members closes tomorrow, Friday 16 March. Anyone wishing to respond should fill in the online survey; there is also a supporting Word document to help you plan your response.

We’re also encouraging Members to respond directly to the DfT and CAA around issues relating to the costs to businesses. The deadline for these consultations is Friday 23 March.

Stop sickness scams

ABTA’s Stop Sickness Scams campaign was celebrated at the Travel Marketing Awards this week. The PR launch last summer was runner-up in the Best PR Strategic category, recognising the success the extensive national media coverage and social media advertising had in reaching millions of people to warn them about false sickness claims.

Finally, we were sad to hear of the passing of Harry Goodman this week. Harry was one of the leading pioneers of the package holiday, and gave a number of people their starts in the business. He made a lasting contribution to the travel industry and will be missed by many.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive