ABTA future on the line: TravelMole Comment by J Skidmore
ABTA is entering a crucial period in its history and must convince the trade and public that it can be a viable and important body for the future.
The annual convention in Orlando in November is now taking on a new significance.
Those of us who were looking forward to a few days in the sun – provided we get past all the US red tape and visa interviews – will now be keen to see evidence that ABTA can be relevant in a changing market.
The association is rightly proud of its history. It has set standards and, over the years, protected tens of thousands of holidaymakers who have lost cash over various collapses.
But how many people are really bothered about looking for an ABTA logo when they book their holidays these days? And how much will its reputation be damaged after the revelation that Travelscene had an unbonded subsidiary Austro Tours, operating outside Travelscene’s ABTA bond?
Those of us who work in the trade find bonding complicated enough; it’s a minefield for a normal member of the public.
But to re-assure holidaymakers, ABTA has always stressed in dealings with the public that holidaymakers’ money is protected when people book through one of its agents.
But that wasn’t the case when people booked with a Travelscene subsidiary. And ABTA’s president, John Harding, was the sales director of Travelscene. The same John Harding who called for the failure of a no-frills airline to highlight the dangers of DIY packaging.
Forget all the justifications and explanations. Don’t try to defend the indefensible. That is, bottom line, unacceptable.
How on earth can you convince the public to book through bonded agents and operators when they read about that?
To say the whole area of bonding is a dog’s dinner is putting it mildly. The Civil Aviation Authority’s attempt to tackle the issue for overseas holidays has highlighted numerous loopholes.
ABTA must take a lead on this issue. Although a change in the law is needed to close loopholes, the association should be driving the changes and, in the meantime, have a clear and consistent stance.
It’s just not acceptable for the president of an association that stresses the importance of bonding to be working for a company that doesn’t offer it.
Book your seats for the conference – it should be interesting.
Phil Davies
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