p50-51 letters nov7 4/11/08 17:51 Page 51
ttglive.com
letters
It is time to redefine what Abta response to clarity Nurture the corporate sector
cover Abta provides issues over protection in these tough times
I agree with Paul Philpott (Letter of the Week, In response to Paul Philpott’s letter (Letter of The Deutsche Bank economist’s tourism
TTG October 31). There is confusion over the the Week, TTG October 31), all Abta tour predictions for 2008 (TTG October 31) are not
financial protection offered by Abta tour operators providing both package holidays sufficiently positive in respect of the executive
operators and now more than ever before and accommodation-only are already required travel sector.
there needs to be clearly defined levels. to have clear information in their terms and Travel agents ought to be spending much
It is no longer the case that the Abta logo is conditions as to which elements are protected more time and resources targeting companies
a blanket guarantee and this fact is not widely and which are not. because business people will travel more,
appreciated by travel agents – nor the public. Abta members can provide protection for not less, in order to maximise their market
Opening up the categories of membership these other aspects via a supplier failure insur- share.
must not mean that Abta plays the numbers ance policy such as the Abta Protection Plan. Face-to-face meetings will be even more
game by inviting anyone into the organisation In terms of members who are exclusively essential, training courses will be vital, and
without some specified means of determining accommodation-only suppliers, we are travel incentives will spur productivity.
who offers protection and who does not. reviewing the wording requirement for True, there will be some extravagances
Abta already has the Travel Industry Partner their terms and conditions and booking that will disappear – such as attendance by
scheme that allows organisations outside the documentation to help agents and customers spouses, elaborate social programmes,
industry to be associated with it. There is no understand what is protected. But if you are sightseeing and dining on expenses and so
reason why a similar scheme cannot be confused you can call Abta to clarify the on, but the corporate world is not going to
introduced where travel suppliers who are not protection status of any member. curl up and die.
bonded could become associate Abta members. We too are getting feedback from members Nearly 75% of Supranational reservations
The blanket financial protection given by Abta that customers are seeking the reassurance of for our 1,250 hotels arise from business
up until 2006 needed to be changed. Two years the Abta symbol. This is why the Abta board travel. So my advice to colleagues, and to
later, it needs to be changed again. has reviewed elements of the scheme of agents, is this: you must focus on added
What is needed, however, is complete clarity financial protection so that in the event of a value and higher standards for fundamentally
on what is covered and what is not so we the travel agent failure, customers will get their solid executive markets, and not engage
agents can make the best decision as to where holiday or their money back in all circumstances in panic price-cutting to attract fickle leisure
we place our business. unless there is a clear case of fraud. guests.
Abta might still be the gold standard of The Abta symbol of course stands for much
travel consumer protection but given the more than just financial protection; thanks Niels Pedersen
current advertising campaign it is running, to the Code of Conduct, customers can be managing director,
there can be absolutely no confusion on where confident they will receive a high-quality Supranational Hotels Consortium
the trust of the consumer and the trade is placed. service, with clear and accurate information.
Peter Cansick Simon Bunce
What do you think?
Johnson Stevens Travel, Felixstowe head of legal services, Abta
The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
We need your name, job title and company
Conference friends rallied I would like to thank everybody at the address. These will be withheld on request.
round in my hour of need conference for their support during the last Priority is given to letters sent exclusively
At our recent conference in Lanzarote, much to two days there. Suppliers and fellow members to TTG. Please limit letters to 250 words
everybody's mirth, I ended up in a wheelchair were determined I would continue with the full maximum. We reserve the right to edit.
and was the butt of everybody's jokes. programme and not miss out on anything. Email:
ttgletters@ttglive.com
As this happened in the morning, I can vouch At times like these, you certainly know who Fax: 020 7921 8033
for the fact that alcohol was not involved. your friends are. What a great industry to work in. Blog: Or why not have your say online?
A slip, not even a fall, led to a sprained ankle Write a blog at
yourspace-ttglive.com
and my foot turned a beautiful shade of black. Pat Waterton, director, The Elite Travel Group
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