Previously known as the Association of British Travel Agents, its name was changed on 1 July 2007 to ABTA, The Travel Association to reflect its wider representation of the travel industry. On 1 July 2008 it merged with the Federation of Tour Operators. It was founded in 1950 by 22 leading travel companies.
Function
ABTA has existed for over 65 years and is the UK’s largest travel association, representing travel agents and tour operators that sell around £32 billion of holidays and other travel arrangements each year. The main functions of ABTA are:
Raising standards in the industry and by giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety,
Providing schemes of financial protection,
Offering holidaymakers a course of redress if something goes wrong,
Code of conduct
ABTA maintains a code of conduct which governs the relationship between members and their customers, between members and ABTA, and between members and other members. The code is essentially a guide to good practice, although some of what it contains is also required under UK and European law. Those booking travel arrangements with an ABTA member can expect to receive:
Accurate information so holidaymakers can make informed choices
Advice or assistance on passport, visa and health requirements
An offer of a suitable alternative if there are building works that will seriously impair a holiday
A refund of the holiday cost if there’s a significant flight delay and the holidaymaker decides not to travel
A response to any complaint raised within 28 days
Resolution of complaints as quickly as possible and, if it can’t be resolved amicably, the guaranteed option of arbitration to find a settlement.
All ABTA members have to abide by the code and those that breach it can face sanctions at ABTA's Code of Conduct Committee.
Consumer protection
ABTA
The ATOL scheme of financial protection covers flight-based holidays. If a holidaymaker buys a land- or sea-based holiday such as coach, rail or cruise holiday from an ABTA member their monies will be protected by the ABTA scheme of financial protection. This means that if the travel company fails and the holiday can no longer go ahead the holidaymaker will be entitled to a refund if they are yet to travel and hotel costs and transport home if they are abroad. In addition to financial protection, ABTA members are also bound to comply with the ABTA code of conduct, which ensures high service standards and fair terms of trading. Booking with an ABTA member also provides recourse should there be a problem or complaint with the travel company.
ATOL
stands for Air Travel Organisers’ Licence. It is a government-run financial protection scheme operated by the Civil Aviation Authority. All monies paid for package holidays involving flights and holidays including a flight plus accommodation and/or car hire, must be protected under an ATOL licence. Customers will receive an ATOL Certificate at the time of payment. ATOL cover means that if a travel company fails and a holiday can no longer go ahead the customer will be entitled to a refund if they are yet to travel and hotel costs and flights home if they are abroad. Flights booked directly with an airline are not protected under the ATOL scheme. ATOL is a financial protection scheme, it does not provide other assistance if there are other problems with a holiday. When customers' money will be automatically protected:
Packages. Packages offer the best form of protection. Not only are holidaymakers entitled to a refund or repatriation should their travel company go out of business, but they also benefit from additional legal protection should there be a problem with their holiday.
Flight-Plus. This is where a flight is booked, along with accommodation and/or car hire to be used with it, from one company but they haven’t packaged it together. These arrangements are financially protected, however, they do not provide the same legal protection as a package should there be a problem with the holiday.
ABTA currently has around 1,200 members and represents over 5,000 retail outlets and offices. It is estimated that over £32 billion is spent on holiday arrangements with ABTA members every year, 90% of package holidays in the UK are sold through its members. It has eleven regional divisions. The head office is situated near Vinopolis and Southwark Cathedral.
