ABTA defends itself over Super Break protection confusion
ABTA has defended itself after agents complained they have been misled into thinking Super Break hotel-only bookings were protected.
Following the collapse of Super Break parent Malvern, some agents said they were shocked to discover that only flight-based package bookings were protected, despite ABTA’s logo being prominently displayed in Super Break brochures selling hotel-only breaks.
There has been widespread confusion in the trade and some agents say they have been left out of pocket.
The Travel Network Group CEO Gary Lewis said: "It is disappointing that Super Break’s failure will have a large financial impact on ABTA agents where they have all bought accommodation only from an ABTA supplier.
"This lack of clarity, and the ability of ABTA suppliers to have a choice on how they protect agents, does not reflect well on us as an industry."
An ABTA spokeswoman said it has not required accommodation-only bookings to be protected for more than 10 years.
"There is no legal requirement to protect accommodation-only or other types of single element bookings (such as airline tickets), this is an entirely commercial decision for a business to enter into additional protection arrangements.
"We make it very clear on our website, in our materials and other communications that not all sales are protected. We also have a programme of proactively monitoring member websites, and in particular statements about financial protection, and will investigate any complaints about brochures and websites if it is alleged that they are misleading.
"It should never be assumed that accommodation-only bookings are financially protected. All accommodation-only bookings, booked either directly with a hotel or through intermediaries, are generally unprotected apart from where the customer paid by credit or debit card. If in doubt agents should ask the company they are booking with directly before proceeding."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026