- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) was founded in 1950 to represent travel agents and tour operators in the UK and to promote and develop members’ collective interests. It sets codes of conduct governing relationships among members, between members and the public, and between members and travel principals, and it has historically stated an aim to discourage unfair competition while still allowing fair-trading initiative (noting the practical difficulty of this under UK competition law). ABTA is governed by a board of twelve, consisting of ten elected members plus two co-opted members, including the Chief Executive and Chairman; members also elect a president, who serves as the public face of the association and chairs the board. The entry lists eleven ABTA travel agent regions (Eastern, Greater London, Midland, North Eastern, North Western, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Southern, South Wales, South Western, and Yorkshire and North Midlands), each with committees and officers. Smaller agent members (turnover below £10 million) elect members to an eleven-person Council of the Regions, where the Regional Councillor automatically becomes Regional Chairman; regional committees mainly organize activities and meetings, discuss national matters, and make recommendations, but propositions passed regionally are not binding on the Council or Board and mainly indicate viewpoint.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) was founded in 1950 to represent travel agents and tour operators in the UK and to promote and develop members’ collective interests. It sets codes of conduct governing relationships among members, between members and the public, and between members and travel principals, and it has historically stated an aim to discourage unfair competition while still allowing fair-trading initiative (noting the practical difficulty of this under UK competition law). ABTA is governed by a board of twelve, consisting of ten elected members plus two co-opted members, including the Chief Executive and Chairman; members also elect a president, who serves as the public face of the association and chairs the board. The entry lists eleven ABTA travel agent regions (Eastern, Greater London, Midland, North Eastern, North Western, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Southern, South Wales, South Western, and Yorkshire and North Midlands), each with committees and officers. Smaller agent members (turnover below £10 million) elect members to an eleven-person Council of the Regions, where the Regional Councillor automatically becomes Regional Chairman; regional committees mainly organize activities and meetings, discuss national matters, and make recommendations, but propositions passed regionally are not binding on the Council or Board and mainly indicate viewpoint.
- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA Accessible travel
This is ABTA’s accessible travel information initiative, developed together with the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The association’s information site provides guidance and advice intended to support accessible travel planning, and the entry references the project website
This is ABTA’s accessible travel information initiative, developed together with the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The association’s information site provides guidance and advice intended to support accessible travel planning, and the entry references the project website
- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA Accounts Rules
Under ABTA’s rules, members are required to submit their accounts within six months of the end of their financial year.
Under ABTA’s rules, members are required to submit their accounts within six months of the end of their financial year.
- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA Appeal Board
ABTA’s Articles provide for an independent Appeal Board that reviews decisions made by ABTA councils and committees, including decisions made by bodies such as the Code of Conduct committee.
ABTA’s Articles provide for an independent Appeal Board that reviews decisions made by ABTA councils and committees, including decisions made by bodies such as the Code of Conduct committee.
- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA Arbitration Scheme for the Travel Industry
Disputes connected with a contract involving an ABTA member that cannot be resolved amicably may be referred to arbitration under a special ABTA-arranged scheme. The entry stresses that there is a pre-arbitration process, and that before arbitration begins the customer must first submit details to ABTA for consideration. The scheme is designed to be simple and relatively inexpensive, typically decided on the basis of documents only, and it limits the customer’s liability for costs. Consumer arbitration fees vary according to the value of the claim. The scheme does not apply where claims exceed £5,000 per person, and there is an overall limit of £25,000 per booking form. It also does not apply to claims solely for physical injury or illness or their consequences; however, it may handle compensation claims that include a minor injury or illness element, subject to a maximum award of £1,000 per person for that injury/illness component. The application and Statement of Claim must be received by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) within 18 months of the date of return from the holiday. After that deadline, arbitration may still be possible if the company agrees, but ABTA’s Code does not require the company to agree. The entry provides a web reference for full scheme details
Disputes connected with a contract involving an ABTA member that cannot be resolved amicably may be referred to arbitration under a special ABTA-arranged scheme. The entry stresses that there is a pre-arbitration process, and that before arbitration begins the customer must first submit details to ABTA for consideration. The scheme is designed to be simple and relatively inexpensive, typically decided on the basis of documents only, and it limits the customer’s liability for costs. Consumer arbitration fees vary according to the value of the claim. The scheme does not apply where claims exceed £5,000 per person, and there is an overall limit of £25,000 per booking form. It also does not apply to claims solely for physical injury or illness or their consequences; however, it may handle compensation claims that include a minor injury or illness element, subject to a maximum award of £1,000 per person for that injury/illness component. The application and Statement of Claim must be received by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) within 18 months of the date of return from the holiday. After that deadline, arbitration may still be possible if the company agrees, but ABTA’s Code does not require the company to agree. The entry provides a web reference for full scheme details
- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA Conciliation Service
ABTA’s free conciliation service ended in spring 1991; however, the entry notes that ABTA still undertakes mediation.
ABTA’s free conciliation service ended in spring 1991; however, the entry notes that ABTA still undertakes mediation.
- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA/ECPAT
This refers to cooperation between ABTA and ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes). The entry references the “Every Child Everywhere” website
This refers to cooperation between ABTA and ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes). The entry references the “Every Child Everywhere” website
- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA Foundation Degree
This refers to ABTA’s Foundation Degree in Travel Operations Management, with a website reference provided in the entry
This refers to ABTA’s Foundation Degree in Travel Operations Management, with a website reference provided in the entry
- Published on
KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: ABTA Lifeline
This is the name of ABTA’s benevolent fund.
This is the name of ABTA’s benevolent fund.
- Published on
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).
