ABTA’s Member survey shows that positive consumer awareness of the ABTA brand is one of the main benefits of membership for many of you. Our latest consumer survey has found that 75% of consumers recognise the logo, a small increase on last year, and that over the last five years there has been a 10% increase in recognition amongst younger consumers aged 16-24. Seven out of ten also see ABTA membership as essential or important when choosing who to book with. The research also shows that consumers have a good understanding of how ABTA helps them, with awareness of our consumer helpline, dispute resolution service and standard-setting for the industry all positive.

On a more sombre note, the news of the murder of two young British backpackers in Thailand has quite understandably been met with shock and sadness by the industry and the public. We are liaising with the Thai authorities and we have also conducted a significant number of media interviews with Sky and the BBC to provide the facts on Thailand as a tourism destination.