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This review has special relevance for retailers as the current system requires very specific documentation to be passed by agents to customers for a claim to be accepted and it is essential that ABTA Members take this opportunity to help create a more efficient claims system, working for the benefit of both customers and the industry.

ABTA has taken the key points from the CAA’s review and has placed them in a questionnaire which has been posted to Members as well as being available online on the Members’ section of www.abta.com

Mark Tanzer ABTA Chief Executive said: “The recent failures of the XL Leisure Group and Freedom Direct raised some serious areas of concern in the way that ATOL claims are processed. These created substantial and protracted delays for many customers obtaining refunds. This consultation by the CAA gives us an important opportunity to create a more efficient, user friendly scheme. The consultation is particularly important for agents as it deals with the fundamentally important area of client documentation and their feedback will be vital.”

ABTA is asking Members to respond to the questionnaire by 15 July to enable the Association to present a properly informed and representative response to the CAA. ABTA has also convened a special working party with representatives from tour operators, travel agents, OTAs and other industry groups to review responses.

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,
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.