Latest News Stories

The campaign – which takes the form of a half-page full-colour advertisement – will run in major regional newspapers across the UK including the Evening Standard tomorrow on 14 May and others including the Belfast Telegraph, Birmingham Mail, the Manchester Evening News, the Scotsman, South Wales Echo and Western Morning News during the week commencing 17 May). In total, the ad will be carried in 28 papers with a total circulation of more than two million.

ABTA is underlining the protection and peace of mind offered to holidaymakers when they book via its tour operator and agent members, even in the event of natural disasters or disruptions.

The Association is highlighting the central part it plays in the travel industry in what is its 60th anniversary year.

The ad, created by Siren, carried the strapline: "When it comes to having a great holiday, don't leave anything to chance."

And it goes on "ABTA members have been looking after British holidaymakers for the last 60 years, come rain or shine - or even the odd Icelandic volcano."
"Book with an ABTA member and you're guaranteed expert advice and unrivalled help in times of trouble. ABTA members helped thousands of customers get home during last month's travel chaos. It wasn't easy, but we did it together."

      -ENDS-

13 May 2010

For further information please contact James Watts, Rebecca Shay or Candice Wagener at Siren PR on 020 3008 6280 or  
e-mail:james.watts@sirenpr.co.uk, rebecca.shay@sirenpr.co.uk or candice.wagener@sirenpr.co.uk

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.