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.
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