Small firms least likely to book with ABTA travel management company
More than four in five (84%) managers say that membership of ABTA is important or very important when they select a travel management company, according to latest research carried out on behalf of the travel organisation.
This is up from 82% in 2017, and is higher than the 74% of the general public who regard ABTA membership as essential or important when booking a holiday.
According to the research, managers at companies with an annual turnover of £50 million to £99.99 million place the most value on ABTA membership, with 91% stating that membership was very important or important when selecting a TMC.
Similarly, 92% of companies with 50-99 employees took the same view.
Using a TMC that is an ABTA is important to 86% of business owners and 87% of directors.
However, ABTA membership was significantly less important to small businesses. Only 68% of those with fewer than nine employees thought it was important for their TMC to be signed up, and less than 70% of those with a turnover of £100,000 to £999,999 thought ABTA membership was important.
The latest research was conducted by Censuswide, with 508 managers at companies where people travel for business.
Victoria Bacon, ABTA director of brand and business development, said: "More and more business travel buyers see membership of ABTA as important or very important when choosing a TMC and it is a particular priority for directors and business owners.
"The fact that so many companies look for the ABTA logo when choosing a TMC is testament to the high standards and services that our members deliver.
"ABTA provides a wide range of services and support both to our members and their customers, and we remain firmly committed to developing and improving our offer for consumers and business travellers."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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