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At this first meeting made up of representatives from ABTA, FTO, AITO, PSA, The Co-operative Travel Group, Advantage and Worldchoice, the group focused on a timetable to gather accurate data about the industry, which will inform policy positions so that the industry’s voice is properly represented in response to the consultation.

ABTA Members will receive a questionnaire from ABTA at the end of this week, and will be asked to respond by Tuesday 22 December. The group will meet again in early January, to collate findings and then ABTA will put together a discussion paper for its 13 January board meeting. The final submission date is 7 February 2010. 

The Package Travel Directive consultation covers a wide remit of issues from financial protection, liability, accuracy of information in promotional material, to cancellation rights and complaints.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said: “We are pleased that all the industry has agreed to work together in a once in a lifetime opportunity to contribute to change in regulations which has the potential to greatly benefit the industry and consumers.”

For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513, Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712 325, Casia Zajac, Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515, Mobile: 07545 927 411
Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
 
Notes to Editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators. 

ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements. 

In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.

As part of its comprehensive package of services to members, ABTA, as a non-party political organisation works to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers in the UK and EU.