ABTA Ltd, operating as ABTA – The Travel Association and formerly known as the Association of British Travel Agents, is a

trade association A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific Industry (economics), industry. An industry tra ...

for tour operators and

travel agent A travel agency is a private retailer or public service that provides travel and tourism-related services to the general public on behalf of accommodation or travel suppliers to offer different kinds of travelling packages for each destinatio ...

s in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

History

The organization was founded in 1950, as the Association of British Travel Agents, by 22 leading travel companies. ABTA adopted its current name on 1 July 2007 reflect its wider representation of the travel industry. On 1 July 2008 it merged with the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO).

Function

ABTA has existed for over 70 years and is the UK's largest travel association, representing travel agents and tour operators that sell around £32 billion of holidays and other travel arrangements each year. The main functions of ABTA are: * Raising standards in the industry and by giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety, * Providing schemes of financial protection, * Offering holidaymakers a course of redress if something goes wrong,

Code of conduct

ABTA maintains a code of conduct which governs the relationship between members and their customers, between members and ABTA, and between members and other members. The code is essentially a guide to good practice, although some of what it contains is also required under UK and European law. Those booking travel arrangements with an ABTA member can expect to receive: * Accurate information so holidaymakers can make informed choices * Advice or assistance on passport, visa and health requirements * An offer of a suitable alternative if there are building works that will seriously impair a holiday * A refund of the holiday cost if there's a significant flight delay and the holidaymaker decides not to travel * A response to any complaint raised within 28 days * Resolution of complaints as quickly as possible and, if it can't be resolved amicably, the guaranteed option of arbitration to find a settlement. All ABTA members have to abide by the code and those that breach it can face sanctions at ABTA's Code of Conduct Committee.

Consumer protection

ABTA

The

ATOL Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) is a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) scheme to give financial protection to people who have purchased package holidays and flights from a member tour operator. Corporate function The majori ...

scheme of financial protection (see below) covers flight-based holidays. If a holidaymaker buys a land- or sea-based holiday such as coach, rail or cruise holiday from an ABTA member their monies will be protected by the ABTA scheme of financial protection. This means that if the travel company fails and the holiday can no longer go ahead the holidaymaker will be entitled to a refund if they are yet to travel and hotel costs and transport home if they are abroad. In addition to financial protection, ABTA members are also bound to comply with the ABTA code of conduct, which ensures high service standards and fair terms of trading. Booking with an ABTA member also provides recourse should there be a problem or complaint with the travel company.

ATOL

stands for Air Travel Organisers’ Licence. It is a government-run financial protection scheme operated by the

Civil Aviation Authority A civil aviation authority (CAA) is a national or supranational statutory authority that oversees the regulation of civil aviation, including the maintenance of an aircraft register. Role Due to the inherent dangers in the use of flight vehicles, ...

(CAA). All monies paid for package holidays involving flights and holidays including a flight plus accommodation and/or car hire, must be protected under an ATOL licence. Customers will receive an ATOL Certificate at the time of payment. ATOL cover means that if a travel company fails and a holiday can no longer go ahead the customer will be entitled to a refund if they are yet to travel and hotel costs and flights home if they are abroad. Flights booked directly with an airline are not protected under the ATOL scheme. ATOL is a financial protection scheme, it does not provide other assistance if there are other problems with a holiday. When customers' money will be automatically protected: * Packages. Packages offer the best form of protection. Not only are holidaymakers entitled to a refund or repatriation should their travel company go out of business, but they also benefit from additional legal protection should there be a problem with their holiday. * Flight-Plus. This is where a flight is booked, along with accommodation and/or car hire to be used with it, from one company but they haven't packaged it together. These arrangements are financially protected, however, they do not provide the same legal protection as a package should there be a problem with the holiday. * Charter flights.

Structure

ABTA currently has around 1,200 members and represents over 5,000 retail outlets and offices. It is estimated that over £32 billion is spent on holiday arrangements with ABTA members every year, 90% of

package holiday A package tour, package vacation, or package holiday comprises transport and accommodation advertised and sold together by a vendor known as a tour operator. Other services may be provided such as a rental car, activities or outings during the ho ...

s in the UK are sold through its members. It has eleven regional divisions. The head office is situated near

Vinopolis Vinopolis was a commercial visitor attraction in Southwark, London, England, operated by Wineworld, London that presented the subject of wine and oenology through exhibits and wine tastings. Vinopolis closed permanently at the end of 2015. Over ...

and

Southwark Cathedral Southwark Cathedral ( ) or The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark, London, lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge. It is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. ...

Research

A 2018 report by ABTA claims that the majority of UK summer holidays abroad are to seven EU member states: Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta.Travelling Together https://www.abta.com/sites/default/files/media/document/uploads/travelling%20together%202018.pdf These seven countries generated 35 million visits by UK residents.

References

External links

Official website

ABTA Magazine

About ABTA, Why Book with an ABTA Member

ABTA Consumer Protection

International Passenger Protection

ATOL
{{DEFAULTSORT:ABTA - The Travel Association Consumer protection in the United Kingdom Trade associations based in the United Kingdom Organisations based in the London Borough of Southwark Organizations established in 1950 Travel and holiday companies of the United Kingdom Traveling business organizations Travel-related organizations 1950 establishments in the United Kingdom