Agents warned as ATOL deadline approaches
Agents are being given a stern reminder that they need to make changes to their booking processes from October 1 or risk breaking the law.
ABTA is currently meeting with members across the country to outline the new rules, which mean a travel agent cannot take any money from a customer when selling a tour operator’s holiday, unless the agent has a written agency agreement from the tour operator and is able to hand over an ATOL Certificate immediately to the customer.
"This whole process is undoubtedly challenging, particularly when members are busy running their businesses, but it is incredibly important to get it right," said ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer.
He said customers are likely to start requesting ATOL certificates from October 1 because the Department for Transport will be publicising the new procedures.
ABTA said it was has written to its ATOL tour operator members reminding them of their responsibility to produce a written agency agreement and is following this up with on-going monitoring.
"However, agents must ensure that they contact their tour operator suppliers to obtain written agency agreements and to understand how to supply ATOL Certificates, and processes may vary between ATOL holders," added Tanzer.
The CAA has produced guidance on the production and supply of ATOL Certificates which can be found on its website.
Members who need further help or guidance should contact ABTA’s Information line [email protected] on 0845 177 2282.
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.
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