ATOL franchise body reports strong demand
ATOL franchise body, Protected Travel Services Ltd, has signed 34 operators and agents since launching in October.
The group, which aims to help travel companies meet the new ATOL regulations, says nine new members have joined since January and the numbers are escalating.
Director Tom Clay said the new members are primarily start-up tour operators aiming at niche markets, but it is also getting calls from established business looking to cut costs.
"We receive enquires daily from businesses just trying to find a way to adhere to the various regulations without the usual restrictions or costs," he said.
PTS was licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority in October 2012.
Earlier this week, the CAA confirmed that it has investigated around 100 companies who might be breaching the new regulations.
It said many of its investigations were based on information provided by consumers or those within the industry.
Last year it introduced a hotline for whistleblowers who want to report a company for trading illegally.
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
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports