Agents and operators urged to take a closer look at ATOL reforms
ABTA is to hold a special conference call with members next Tuesday (March 13) to help them understand the intricacies of the draft ATOL Regulations.
It is also launching a consultation with members to get their views and insights for an industry-wide response to the reforms. The deadline is March 16.
ABTA is concerned that some of the proposals go beyond what is required in the Package Travel Directive.
"The travel industry would be forgiven for thinking that the content of the draft ATOL Regulations and standard terms are only to support the UK’s implementation of the Package Travel Directive. But, having read all of the documents in detail, that is clearly not the case," said director of legal affairs Simon Bunce.
"Some of the proposals go beyond what is required for the successful implementation of PTD. So it is important travel companies are aware of the suggested changes, the impact it could have on their businesses – and that they take the opportunity to provide their feedback through the consultation process."
Examples of proposals which go further than members might expect include the information provided to consumers before and after sale on ATOL protection, along with plans to require small business holders to report quarterly, rather than annually.
"We encourage ABTA Members to share their feedback with us as part of our own consultation process," continued Bunce.
"ABTA will also be making the point to the CAA and DfT that any additional changes to regulations or standard terms, which don’t relate to the PTD, shouldn’t be pushed through on the same tight timescale, and that some elements may require further consultation, particularly where the current consultation contains only proposals and no firm drafting that can be properly assessed."
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 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025