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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA Membership Requirements
ABTA’s membership requirements have changed substantially: the entry states that the former rules about premises and various general requirements have now disappeared. It notes that any person with at least two years’ practical experience can become an ABTA member and run a travel agency business from any premises. The experience requirement reduces to eighteen months if ABTAC Level 1 plus certain other training has been completed, and it reduces further to one year for those who have passed ABTAC Level 2 (general section). The entry quotes the Articles of Association wording that, unless the Board exercises discretion otherwise, there must be at least one person at any premises conducting Retail Business who has qualifications or experience deemed suitable by the Board. A sound financial background is required, and applicants must not have been bankrupt or have run a business that failed to meet its liabilities. Parallel requirements exist for tour operators. The entry also explains that ABTA provides consumer protection against financial loss when travel arrangements are made through members, and therefore member agents and operators must provide a bond, guarantee, or other security to protect the Association’s funds when fulfilling this consumer guarantee, with cross-references to bond and BRF (Bond Replacement Fund).
ABTA’s membership requirements have changed substantially: the entry states that the former rules about premises and various general requirements have now disappeared. It notes that any person with at least two years’ practical experience can become an ABTA member and run a travel agency business from any premises. The experience requirement reduces to eighteen months if ABTAC Level 1 plus certain other training has been completed, and it reduces further to one year for those who have passed ABTAC Level 2 (general section). The entry quotes the Articles of Association wording that, unless the Board exercises discretion otherwise, there must be at least one person at any premises conducting Retail Business who has qualifications or experience deemed suitable by the Board. A sound financial background is required, and applicants must not have been bankrupt or have run a business that failed to meet its liabilities. Parallel requirements exist for tour operators. The entry also explains that ABTA provides consumer protection against financial loss when travel arrangements are made through members, and therefore member agents and operators must provide a bond, guarantee, or other security to protect the Association’s funds when fulfilling this consumer guarantee, with cross-references to bond and BRF (Bond Replacement Fund).
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