Apartmentsabroad.com “may get ATOL cover” for dynamic packaging
Apartmentsabroad.com is considering obtaining an ATOL to cover up to 20,000 packages which could be created by agents using its new Travelhawk dynamic packaging tool.
The company is weighing up bonding options following the August launch of Travelhawk which extended its business model from accommodation-only to incorporate flight, car hire and airport transfer search facilities.
Because Travelhawk offers search facilities for holiday components which can then be booked separately, agents need not necessarily require ATOL protection, but will do if they want to pre-package those components.
Apartmentsabroad.com already protects its accommodation-only sales with an independent trust fund.
Managing director Ian Thirlwall said a decision would be made before Christmas so that an ATOL could be in place in time for summer 2005.
He said: “We’re looking at the pros and cons of the ATOL system in the light of the expansion of the services we now provide to agents courtesy of Travelhawk.
“Our accommodation-only sales are already protected via an independently administered trust fund but we are actively examining the viability of extending protection to fares which may be accessed via Travelhawk.
“The upside is that an ATOL would cover flights offered by over 50 scheduled and low cost airlines and our accommodation portfolio which spans nearly 50 countries. That would undoubtedly give us the edge over traditional package operators and integrated groups who offer ATOL cover to agents but only if they exclusively buy products provided by themselves.
“The downside would obviously be the significant additional costs which bonding would incur and the impact that may have within a very price sensitive marketplace.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports