Yesterday’s announcement by the CAA that Small Business ATOLs would be retained was good news for many ABTA Members.

It showed that the CAA has listened to industry's concerns, and acted on them. The CAA has also announced that they will be introducing new financial tests and requirements to ensure that ATOL holders are financially robust. While we support and recognise the need for checks, as it is in everyone’s best interests that travel companies are strong and robust, we have made it clear that these need to be in proportion to risk and that a sufficiently long lead in time is allowed for existing ATOL holders who are affected by the changes. We will be speaking to the CAA to again raise these issues as we did during their consultation process. You can find our full response to the changes to the ATOL scheme here.

In just over two months we will go to the polls to elect a new Parliament and I would like to encourage you all to get behind ABTA’s #ValueTourism campaign, which is aimed at building greater recognition and support for the travel and tourism sector among those standing in May’s General Election. We have developed tools and content for you to share on social media and directly with local candidates to help you lobby and get your views across. This is a crucial time in the election campaign and political candidates are particularly keen to listen to and support potential voters and so it is a great opportunity to influence and help shape the debate: www.abta.com/electionhub.