Browsing Tag

Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)

ABTA provides submission to BEIS Select Committee on flight cancellations

Kristin Mariano Jun 17, 2022

ABTA has provided a written submission to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee which has been looking at the difficulties some passengers experienced when…

Travel Agents

ABTA highlights importance of talking to customers about health, safety and security

Kristin Mariano May 30, 2022

ABTA is encouraging Members to remind customers to take steps to keep themselves safe on holiday, by sharing its health, safety and security advice and resources with customers ahead of…

ABTA Travel Convention

ABTA: Urgent government action needed to support travel industry

Kristin Mariano Oct 14, 2020

ABTA – The Travel Association says the global travel industry has an opportunity and responsibility to rebuild in a more sustainable way following the coronavirus crisis, but that urgent…

Travel Agents

ABTA launches post-pandemic reopening guide

Alastair Newport Jun 25, 2020

ABTA has published a post-pandemic recovery guide to help UK destinations, and the national travel industry as a whole, through the tricky task of restarting travel. Developed by…

ABTA: “This is going to take a coordinated approach”

Alastair Newport Jun 8, 2020

Following the introduction of a 14-day quarantine for passengers arriving into the UK, and the participation of CEO, Mark Tanzer, in an industry roundtable hosted by the Home Secretary last…

Travel agents engagement with customers surges during pandemic

Alastair Newport May 29, 2020

ABTA has unveiled new data which shows record levels of engagement with Members and consumers, indicating the extent to which the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the travel sector for…

ABTA rolls out “specialist material” to coronavirus support hub

Alastair Newport May 21, 2020

ABTA has announced the launch of new free-of-charge, on-demand webinars and industry insight from the association's partners onto its Coronavirus: support from ABTA Partners hub…

ABTA applauds furlough extension but calls for further measures to protect agencies

Alastair Newport May 12, 2020

ABTA has released a statement welcoming the Governments decision to extend and adapt the current furlough scheme but also underlines other, urgent mechanisms which are also needed to…

ABTA: Mark Tanzer pressures Government during HofC Transport Committee hearing

Alastair Newport May 7, 2020

Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s chief executive, gave evidence yesterday to the House of Commons Transport Committee as it looks at the implications for transport of the coronavirus pandemic. Asked…

Associations

ABTA: “Travel agents and tour operators are much needed right now”

Alastair Newport Apr 29, 2020

ABTA is stepping up its request to the Chancellor to extend the government’s salary support scheme for the UK travel industry, in recognition that travel companies will emerge from the…

ABTA: “Many travel companies are unable to provide immediate cash refunds”

Alastair Newport Apr 22, 2020

ABTA’s chief executive, Mark Tanzer has written an open letter to customers of the Association’s Members with travel arrangements that have been affected by the coronavirus crisis to explain…

ABTA: The UK Government continues to drag its feet

Alastair Newport Apr 17, 2020

Influential body, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), has published further guidance today for Members and customers on holiday amendments and refunds, as the industry continues…

Travel Agents

13,500 emailed their MP in support of ‘Save Future Travel’ campaign

Alastair Newport Apr 9, 2020

On day one of ABTA’s campaign calling for grassroots political action by travel and tourism businesses, their staff and anyone who supports the industry, 13,500 people responded by emailing…

Corporate & Business

The future of travel – “partnerships”

Kristin Mariano Apr 7, 2020

ABTA demanded the government suspend the travel industry’s refund rules or face “catastrophic damage to the UK travel industry, and widespread consumer detriment.” The travel industry…

Travel Agents

ABTA lobbies for short-term support during outbreak

Alastair Newport Mar 17, 2020

As a result of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak worldwide, the UK travel industry is facing a crisis of unprecedented scale, which is impacting hundreds of travel businesses and many…

Travel Agents

ABTA puts coronavirus and ecotourism at the top of the agenda for Spring events

Alastair Newport Mar 6, 2020

ABTA has unveiled its schedule for its Spring 2020 Regional Business Meetings programme. Topics for discussion will include the impact Coronavirus, sustainable tourism, Brexit and an update…

Guest Column

ABTA: “It is important that business continuity plans, contingency measures and policies are put in place now”

Alastair Newport Feb 28, 2020

Cases of Coronavirus have continued to emerge with official restrictions being placed on travel to 11 towns in northern Italy and holidaymakers in a hotel in Tenerife being affected in a…

Most TMCs place high value on ABTA membership

Alastair Newport Feb 19, 2020

New research, from Censuswide, released ahead of the Business Travel Show this month, finds over four in five (83%) managers say that membership of ABTA is very important or important when…

ABTA welcomes 36 new members and partners

Alastair Newport Feb 13, 2020

From August 2019 to January 2020, 22 new Members joined ABTA, The Travel Association, including four dual Members, two retail Members and 16 trading solely as a Principal; in addition, 14…

Travel Agents

“Meaningful reform, delivered in partnership with the industry”: ABTA presses for passenger duty review

Alastair Newport Feb 12, 2020

ABTA – The Travel Association, is calling on the Government for extensive reform of Air Passenger Duty (APD) to maintain the UK’s global competitiveness and support the country’s net zero…

Features

UK families head of the beaten track to find a sense of wonder

Alastair Newport Feb 3, 2020

9 out of 10 UK families are planning a holiday in 2020 and are looking to broaden their horizons this year as well as find greater adventure (from 6% in 2018 to 11%) according to…

Global

Another excellent reason for customers to book with an ABTA agent

Alastair Newport Jan 24, 2020

ABTA has announced a new Primary Authority partnership with Kent County Council Trading Standards today. The organisation entered into the new deal with the regional body with a view to…

Associations

ABTA on Brexit: “People can continue to make their travel plans with confidence”

Alastair Newport Jan 17, 2020

ABTA has published its revised advice for travellers in the run up to Brexit on 31 January. This latest advice highlights that the UK is now on track to enter a transition period at the end…

Medical & Health Tourism

ABTA: The rise of wellness tourism

Alastair Newport Jan 8, 2020

Research from ABTA – The Travel Association reveals that people are increasingly incorporating wellness into their holiday, with one in three (34%) people planning to take part in activities…

Airlines and Aviation

Airline insolvency: ABTA responds following Queen’s speech

Alastair Newport Dec 20, 2019

During the second Queen’s speech in just three months, yesterday – an occasion which gives you a peek into the level disruption and division in the country these days – the monarch…

Travel Agents

ABTA: “Consumer confidence is essential to maintain healthy bookings”

Alastair Newport Dec 6, 2019

ABTA has announced the launch of its annual 'Travel with Confidence' campaign to support the association's members’ businesses as they enter the most important booking period of the year.…

Tourism

Tunisia and the UK launch sustainable tourism charter in Tunisia

Alastair Newport Nov 27, 2019

The British Embassy in Tunisia is delighted to announce the launch of a UK/Tunisia 'Sustainable Tourism Charter' in Hammamet, one of the most popular tourist resorts for British visitors to…

ABTA’s plans for sustainable travel and tourism: “A long-awaited solution is required”

Alastair Newport Nov 21, 2019

In the run-up to the General Election ABTA is highlighting the importance of travel and tourism to the UK economy, and asking MPs to work with the industry to secure a sustainable future.…

Travel Agents

“It’s a good thing,” says ABTA CEO Mark Tanzer on Hays Travel buying Thomas Cook shops

Kristin Mariano Oct 10, 2019

As we were heading for drinks at the farewell party of this year's ABTA Travel Convention, I caught up with the organisation's chief executive Mark Tanzer and asked him about Hays Travel…

ABTA Travel Convention

ABTA CEO Mark Tanzer sheds light on Thomas Cook failure

Kristin Mariano Oct 9, 2019

"The failure of Thomas Cook, in my view, is more of a failure of corporate finance than a failure of travel." These are the words of ABTA's chief executive Mark Tanzer addressing the…

ABTA Travel Convention

After Thomas Cook failure, ABTA chairman Alistair Rowland urges travel professionals to lend a hand

Kristin Mariano Oct 8, 2019

Thomas Cook, a former member of ABTA and once considered as a travel juggernaut, is one of the most anticipated topics in this year's ABTA Travel Convention happening in Tokyo on 7-9…

Tourism

ABTA: ‘Tourism can support the preservation of natural environments and cultural heritage’

Alastair Newport Oct 4, 2019

Tourism can be a force for good, offering a vital source of income and employment for communities in destinations, and helping to improve welfare and health and safety standards. It is…

ABTA Travel Convention

The show must go on: ABTA Travel Convention pushes through amid Brexit, Thomas Cook collapse

Kristin Mariano Oct 2, 2019

ABTA confirmed to TD that the organisation’s annual Travel Convention will go as planned next week despite the pressing issues back home.

ABTA: New campaign to boost confidence in face of Brexit worry

Alastair Newport Sep 17, 2019

ABTA has launched today a customer-facing advertising campaign addressing questions the travelling public and businesses may have about how Brexit could affect their ability to visit the EU.…

ABTA forms task force to counter orphanage tourism

Alastair Newport Sep 12, 2019

A taskforce to encourage well-meaning UK tourists and volunteers to stop visiting overseas orphanages has been launched. The Orphanage Tourism Taskforce has been set up by the international…

OTAs & Tour Operators

ABTA welcomes 22 new members

Megha Paul Aug 13, 2019

From April to July 2019, nine new members and 13 new partners joined the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). These are a diverse range of new members offering attraction…

Global

UK travel managers cite visas, health and risk of violence as top three travel concerns

Alastair Newport Jul 16, 2019

Organising correct entry documents, health and medical issues and terrorism and security threats are the top three concerns for managers when their staff travel on business trips – reveals…

Associations

“Industry needs to be very clear with government” – ABTA chief

Alastair Newport Jun 26, 2019

The UK government must ensure that, after Brexit, there is a system where travel companies can continue to post workers abroad and that there is a suitable approach to freedom of movement…

Consumer

Fraud abroad: The five worst countries for Brits on holiday

Alastair Newport May 8, 2019

The two most popular holiday destinations for Brits are in the list of top five worst countries for card fraud. Research by travel association ABTA recently revealed that GBP 7 million…

Hotels

ABTA supports Short Break’s customers following operator’s closure

Alastair Newport Apr 30, 2019

British tour operator Short Breaks is no longer trading for business, as of 29 April 2019.

Tourism

Should I stay or should I go: Brits take advantage of 4-day Bank Holiday

Alastair Newport Apr 18, 2019

ABTA has discovered that more than 3 million British travellers will be making the most of the back-to-back Bank Holidays by taking a trip overseas or exploring the British Isles with a…

OTAs & Tour Operators

ABTA releases new guide on sustainable tourism

Mili Feb 20, 2019

Just today, UK-based ABTA launched a new guidance to support travel companies to take a long-term strategic approach in tackling their use of plastics, as part of a wider approach to waste…

Tourism

Why Brits need travel insurance this summer

Mili Jan 8, 2019

According to a study by ATOL, the holiday protection scheme, 5.2 million Brits are set to book their holiday this January. Here's why it is important they pay close attention to insuring…

UK airports prepare for bank holiday getaway

Mark Elliott Aug 25, 2016

An estimated two million British holidaymakers will head overseas this bank holiday weekend. According to ABTA, airports across the country are preparing for a busy few days. Heathrow…

Four million Brits to head abroad this Christmas

Mark Elliott Dec 17, 2015

More than four million Brits are expected to travel overseas this festive season (18 December to 2 January). According to a new report from ABTA, the peak travel days will be 18, 23…

England

‘Plan Heathrow AND Gatwick growth’: ABTA

Mark Elliott Jan 29, 2015

ABTA has urged expansion at both Heathrow and Gatwick in its response to the Airport Commission’s final consultation. The association said both airports have made ‘compelling cases’…

Scotland

Government confirms APD devolution to Scotland

Mark Elliott Jan 22, 2015

The government has confirmed Air Passenger Duty will be devolved to Scotland, prompting ABTA and the Airport Operators Association (AOA) to ask for consistency across the UK. A report…

ABTA and TripAdvisor finalists in WTTC awards

Mark Elliott Jan 19, 2015

ABTA and TripAdvisor are among the finalists in the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The two are of 15 that have been shortlisted for five…

ABTA members see strong 2015 start

Mark Elliott Jan 15, 2015

ABTA members have seen a strong start to 2015 with some ‘exceptional’ days of trading, the association has said. A third of summer holidays are expected to be sold in the first two…

ABTA’s Earlybird campaign returns

Mark Elliott Jan 14, 2015

ABTA will relaunch its Earlybird marketing campaign tomorrow (15 January) to encourage holidaymakers to book holidays early. The promotion first launched last year and will return…

Millions head on Christmas breaks, but will strikes hit flights?

Mark Elliott Dec 18, 2014

This weekend is set to be one of the busiest days of travel this festive period as Brits head on holiday or to see family and friends. During the next week 43, 405 flights will depart…

The latest industry appointments

Mark Elliott Dec 18, 2014

Kathryn Robertson has been promoted to general manager UK & Europe at Air New Zealand. Robertson first joined the team in 2007 as marketing manager UK & Europe and has since held…

Belgium

ABTA concerned by PTD review

Mark Elliott Dec 6, 2014

ABTA has called for further clarity of the European Package Travel Directive (PTD) after saying some changes remain ‘unsatisfactory’. The association is pushing for more clarity and…

Monarch’s Swaffield joins ABTA board

Mark Elliott Dec 6, 2014

Monarch Travel Group’s CEO Andrew Swaffield has been elected on the ABTA board of directors. Swaffield represents principals with a turnover of more than £50 million and replaces Hugh…

Airlines and Aviation

Government scraps APD for children

Mark Elliott Dec 3, 2014

The UK government has scrapped the controversial Airport Passenger Duty (APD) for children. In his Autumn Statement, Chancellor George Osborne confirmed that passengers under the age of…

ABTA launches new ad campaign

Mark Elliott Dec 3, 2014

ABTA is launching a national print advertising campaign under its recently launched consumer strapline, ‘Travel with confidence’. The campaign, which will start on 28 December and run…

12m planning winter holiday

Mark Elliott Nov 27, 2014

More than 12 million people are expected to take a winter holiday this season, with more heading to beaches and ski slopes. According to the latest ABTA survey 43% are looking to head…

New ABTA strapline launched

Mark Elliott Oct 30, 2014

ABTA has announced a new strapline as it aims to bring a more powerful message for members. ‘Travel with confidence’ is now part of its consumer branding and will replace ‘The Travel…

More travelling overseas without insurance

Mark Elliott Oct 23, 2014

A higher number of travellers are now visiting overseas without travel insurance, prompting calls from ABTA to relax regulation on selling insurance as an ancillary product. Recent…

Bookable Holidays goes into administration

Mark Elliott Oct 14, 2014

Online travel agent Bookable Holidays has gone into administration, ATBA has confirmed. The OTA was trading under bookableholidays.com and bookableholidays.co.uk and had 960 forward…

ABTA welcomes government stance on financial protection reform

Mark Elliott Sep 7, 2014

ABTA has welcomed the Department for Transport’s (DfT) work and viewpoint on ATOL and Package Travel Directive (PTD) reforms. The association said it particularly agreed that the…

7m Brits expected to take Bank Holiday break

Mark Elliott Aug 21, 2014

More than seven million British people are expected to head on a holiday this Bank Holiday weekend. VisitEngland has said 5.1 million Brits are set to take an overnight trip in the UK…

Northern Ireland

Two thirds of MPs to holiday abroad

Mark Elliott Aug 5, 2014

Two thirds of MPs are expected to go on holidays overseas this year compared to 52% of the general public. A new ComRes survey from ABTA found those in the Conservative party are more…

Holidaymakers take off as summer exodus begins

Mark Elliott Jul 25, 2014

More than two million British holidaymakers are expected to head overseas on summer holidays this weekend as the majority of schools break up for summer. Nearly half a million…

ABTA focuses on infrastructure and APD in new manifesto

Mark Elliott Jul 16, 2014

ABTA has reiterated calls for a reform in Air Passenger Duty and investment into airport capacity and surface access in a new manifesto launched to MPs. ‘A manifesto for jobs and…

Airlines and Aviation

Aviation minister surprised by Jet2.com ruling

Mark Elliott Jun 18, 2014

Robert Goodwill has expressed his surprise at the recent court ruling against Jet2.com. Speaking at the ABTA Travel Matters conference today, the Aviation Minister said he would 'look…

‘One voice to government will get messages heard’

Mark Elliott Jun 18, 2014

MPs have urged the travel industry to continue pressing issues to Government under one voice to get more success in lobbying efforts. Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour MP for Poplar and…

England

ABTA’s Travel Matters speakers announced

Mark Elliott Jun 5, 2014

ABTA has announced the speakers for its Travel Matters conference later this year. Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill MP will be speaking at the one-day event, as will Shadow Secretary…

Easter holiday exodus gets underway

Mark Elliott Apr 17, 2014

The great Easter getaway will commence this morning with millions heading on roads, trains, cruises and planes to start their holidays. More Brits are expected to stay in the UK than…

Northern Ireland

School holiday debate heads to Parliament

Mark Elliott Feb 24, 2014

MPs will debate the introduction of school holiday fees and increased holiday prices at Westminster this afternoon following on-going comments from travel companies and parents. In…

England

Davies meets ABTA

Mark Elliott Feb 5, 2014

Sir Howard Davies visited ABTA for a breakfast briefing this morning (5 February) to discuss the importance of flight connectivity and the leisure travel market. Davies, who is…

Agents to benefit from ABTA campaign

Mark Elliott Jan 13, 2014

Travel agents will be able to have their holiday deals and tips shown on an ABTA website in a new campaign to encourage early bookings. The association will start the ABTA Early Bird…

ABTA Travel Convention

ABTA TC heading to Slovenia in 2014

Mark Elliott Oct 23, 2013

ABTA has announced next year's Travel Convention will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The convention will take place earlier than usual, running from 22-24 September. It will be…

ABTA estimates 1.8 Brits going abroad

Mark Elliott Aug 21, 2013

The Association of British Travel Agents believes that 1.8 million Brits will head abroad this bank holiday weekend. Of those going overseas, Spain remains the most popular…

Two million Brits to head abroad this weekend

Mark Elliott Jul 25, 2013

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has released statistics estimating that two million Brits will head abroad this weekend, as the school term breaks up for the summer.…

12,000+ APD emails “ignored” by MPs

Mark Elliott Mar 3, 2013 11

MPs are “ignoring” more than 12,000 emails regarding the discontent around Air Passenger Duty, A Fair Tax on Flying has revealed. David Cameron is said to have received 477 emails about…

ABTA defends high street after statistics released

Mark Elliott Mar 1, 2013 16

ABTA has defended the high street after new analysis found an average of 20 shops closed each day last year. The association’s chief executive Mark Tanzer said it was “nonsense to…

Travel and tourism industry outperforms UK economy

Mark Elliott Feb 28, 2013 0

Growth in the travel and tourism industry outperformed the growth of GDP in 2012, new research from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has found. A new report issued found the…

ABTA unveils tourism mix manifesto

Mark Elliott Feb 28, 2013 16

ABTA revealed its latest manifesto to the UK government yesterday outlining how the three tourism industries can create economic growth and jobs. Its ‘Valuing the UK’s Tourism Mix’…

MPs back tourism job creation

Mark Elliott Feb 19, 2013 18

Three quarters of MPs believe the Government should do more to develop jobs in the domestic, inbound and outbound tourism industries with a combined focus on all three. A ComRes poll of…

One in four Brits travel uninsured

Mark Elliott Jan 31, 2013 0

One in four Brits are now travelling abroad without insurance as many think it is too expensive or confused over what is already covered. According to figures released by ABTA, 24% of…

Speakman calls for ‘travel bank’ protection solution

Mark Elliott Jan 23, 2013 0

Travel Counsellors' chairman David Speakman has called for an independent financial organisation to hold holidaymakers money as a solution to confusion over consumer protection. Speakman,…

ABTA encourages consumers to ‘look for logo’

Mark Elliott Dec 6, 2012 0

The Association of British Travel Agents has launched its new campaign to coincide with the peak booking season. The campaign urges consumers to ‘look for the logo’ and book their holiday…

ABTA survey highlights APD unpopularity

Mark Elliott Dec 5, 2012 16

A poll released by the Association of British Travel Agents has highlighted the unpopularity of the recently announced Air Passenger Duty rise. The announcement, which was made in…

Transport minister makes ABTA visit

Mark Elliott Nov 29, 2012 16

Minister of State for Transport Simon Burns visited ABTA’s office in Park Street today to discuss travel industry issues. Members of the association voiced their concerns to the MP…

Belgium

ABTA fights for agent model in Brussels

Mark Elliott Nov 22, 2012 16

ABTA has called on the EU to let agents continue to work as they do within the Package Travel Directive (PTD) changes. The association visited the government in Brussels this week to…

81% of MPs back airline ATOL inclusion

Mark Elliott Nov 21, 2012 15

Eight in 10 MPs believe holidays sold by airlines should be included in ATOL regulations, new ABTA research has revealed. Ahead of a House of Commons’ debate tomorrow, the association…

Technology

Tablets drive mobile travel bookings

Mark Elliott Nov 15, 2012 19

The popularity of tablet devices is encouraging more travellers to research and book trips via their mobile devices, a new study has found. The joint report by Expedia and comScore found…

Pirie steps down from ABTA board

Mark Elliott Oct 30, 2012 17

Travel Republic CEO Kane Pirie has stepped down from the ABTA board of directors. Pirie had joined the board in October 2010 as a non-elected director and despite his departure Travel…

ABTA responds to card charge consultation

Mark Elliott Oct 19, 2012 16

ABTA has submitted its formal response into a government consultation into credit and debit card charges. The association has opposed a ban on card charges on package travel as it falls…

Associations

ABTA 2013 heading to Croatia

Mark Elliott Oct 14, 2012 15

ABTA has announced its 2013 Travel Convention will be held in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The conference will take place between 21-23 October at the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel and Valamar Lacroma…

ABTA TC: Social unrest and slow growth continue

Mark Elliott Oct 10, 2012 17

Events in the Middle East will continue to affect the travel industry into next year amongst on-going social unrest and crude oil prices, ABTA delegates have heard. Economist Anthony Hilton…

ABTA TC2012: Trends changing the industry

Mark Elliott Oct 10, 2012 0

He used to PR for Michael Jackson but William Higham, managing director and founder of The Next Big Thing is now a trend-spotter and shared his insight at the ABTA Travel Convention today.…

ABTA TC2012: Inexperience pushes youths to travel agents

Mark Elliott Oct 10, 2012 1

Young people are more likely to book through a travel agent than previously thought, according to ABTA. The association made the claim after its consumer research found that people in the…

ABTA TC2012: Consumers change habits but not cut holidays

Mark Elliott Oct 10, 2012 17

Consumers are changing their booking habits to still guarantee a holiday instead of cutting it altogether, according to new ABTA research. Its latest survey found consumers have become more…

ABTA pushes for no aviation policy delay

Mark Elliott Sep 28, 2012 16

ABTA has urged the government not to delay addressing airport capacity as part of its formal response to the Draft Aviation Policy Framework. The association has written to the Department…

Associations

Less than half of consumers know ATOL

Mark Elliott Sep 20, 2012 0

Less than half (47%) of consumers recognise the ATOL brand with less than a third of 15-24s aware of the scheme, a new ABTA survey has revealed. While eight in 10 consumers are said to…

Associations

Gold Olympian to speak at ABTA convention

Mark Elliott Sep 19, 2012 17

Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger MBE is to speak at the ABTA Travel Convention, it has announced. The rower will be interviewed as part of a ‘Maximising your performance’ session…

Six in 10 Conservative MPs behind lower APD

Mark Elliott Sep 11, 2012 19

Six in 10 Conservative MPs agree that a reduction in Air Passenger Duty (APD) should be considered, a new survey by ABTA has revealed. The ComRes and ABTA survey of 150 MPs found 49%…

Carnival “highlights APD unfairness”

Mark Elliott Aug 26, 2012 10

Notting Hill Carnival has been used as a platform to show how thousands are priced out of holidays to the Caribbean due to unfair APD rates. Islands in the Caribbean have seen a 17%…

Associations

Travel Counsellors reports ABTA to OFT

Mark Elliott Aug 23, 2012 15

Travel Counsellors has reported ABTA to the Office of Fair Trading (OfT) accusing its members of misleading customers over financial protection. The company has highlighted examples to the…

Airports brace for bank holiday escape

Mark Elliott Aug 23, 2012 18

Around 1.8 million British holidaymakers are due to head overseas this August bank holiday weekend, while domestic tourism will also see a boost. According to ABTA, Spain, Turkey and Greece…

Hotels

FCO, ABTA launch balcony campaign

Mark Elliott Aug 14, 2012 23

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and ABTA have launched a new campaign to help prevent balcony incidents in popular holiday resorts. The campaign comes after the number of cases…

Associations

Fifth of Brits planning Olympic break-away

Mark Elliott Jul 25, 2012 12

Nearly a fifth (19%) of Brits are planning a holiday during the Olympics, according to new statistics from ABTA. The association has said around nine million Brits are taking a holiday…

Associations

APD campaign gets more group weight

Mark Elliott Jul 23, 2012 3

A Fair Tax on Flying’s campaign has gathered further support from business groups this week after seeing a boost thanks to Richard Branson. The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and…

Two million head overseas this weekend

Mark Elliott Jul 20, 2012 13

Two million British holidaymakers are expected to head overseas in the next four days as schools break up for the summer holidays. ABTA expects most holidaymakers to head to Spain…

Charity / Sustainability / CSR

Make Holidays Greener Month support continues

Mark Elliott Jul 17, 2012 15

Tour operators and travel companies have continued to show their support for Make Holidays Greener Month with a variety of initiatives. Many companies are sharing green holidays tips with…

Associations

New guidelines announced for mobility travel

Mark Elliott Jul 13, 2012 0

ABTA and CAA have launched new guidelines for the travel industry to ease air travel for people with reduced mobility. The new suggestions follow an increase in passengers that need…

OTAs & Tour Operators

PTD proposals for ‘late 2012’

Mark Elliott Jul 13, 2012 18

Proposals on changes to the Package Travel Directive (PTD) could be announced later this year, ABTA has revealed. The association said the European Commission has been in discussions over…

Airlines and Aviation

Tenth of MPs back APD motion

Mark Elliott Jul 12, 2012 6

One in 10 UK MPs have backed a Parliamentary motion to study the impact of Air Passenger Duty on the UK’s economy and employment levels. Sixty MPs from several parties have added their…

Airlines and Aviation

APD campaign reaches 10,000 mark

Mark Elliott Jul 4, 2012 15

A Fair Tax on Flying’s campaign against Air Passenger Duty (APD) has reached the 10,000 milestone. Members of the public and those from the industry have written the automated letter to…

Associations

APD campaign gathers more support

Mark Elliott Jun 26, 2012 15

Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) and UK think-tank Taxpayers’ Alliance have both backed the recent campaign on APD rates. The added support for the ‘A Fair Tax on Flying’…

Associations

APD activity ramped up for summer

Mark Elliott Jun 18, 2012 8

A Fair Tax on Flying has launched a new summer campaign today lobbying the Government over Air Passenger Duty (APD) levels. The self-claimed ‘ambitious’ campaign is aiming to gain the…

Associations

ABTA targets 18-34 in new campaign

Mark Elliott May 24, 2012 6

ABTA has encouraged travel agents to promote campaigns through its new consumer-facing Facebook page in a new campaign. As part of its ‘Love Summer, Love Travel’ campaign, the association…

Airlines and Aviation

ABTA takes APD and airport cases to Parliament

Mark Elliott May 16, 2012 8

ABTA appeared in front of two parliamentary groups today to put forward its cases regarding APD and aviation policy. Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA spoke before the All Parliamentary…

OTAs & Tour Operators

ABTA: Outbound travel contributes £22.1 bn to UK economy

Mark Elliott May 10, 2012 0

UK’s outbound travel industry contributes £22.1 billion towards the economy annually, representing 1.6% of the GDP, according to new statistics released by ABTA. In an aim to quantify the…

Airlines and Aviation

New aviation bill opens potential airline ATOL inclusion

Mark Elliott Jan 19, 2012 18

Holidays sold by airlines or arranged as an agent acting on behalf of consumer could be included in the ATOL scheme, a government bill has revealed. The Civil Aviation Bill has…

Two million to book holidays this week – ABTA

Mark Elliott Jan 18, 2012 12

Two million people will be booking a holiday this week to escape the January blues, according to ABTA. With the week starting with Blue Monday to reflect the ‘most depressing day of…