ABTA and FTO shelve merger
ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators have shelved plans to merge – but insisted it is still likely to happen.
In a joint statement, the organisations said they “remain convinced of the compelling logic” of a merger but that more time is needed.
It is believed the practicalities of integrating the bodies is proving more complex than originally thought. Talks will resume later in the year.
ABTA president Martin Wellings added: “Although talks are taking longer than we expected we believe the outcome will be worthwhile. We are already achieving benefits from our joint lobbying efforts and are making progress towards significant savings as a result of combined bonding arrangements.”
FTO chairman Ian Ailles said: “We stand prepared to work afresh to reach agreement to work closer together and then getting down to the considerable detail required to make it happen.”
Report by Steve Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt