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Commenting on the increase ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer said: “Although ABTA Members were disappointed that the APC should rise so soon after its introduction at £1, we accept that market conditions and recent failures have meant that measures are required to stabilise the Air Travel Trust Fund. We are glad that the proposed increase is at the lower end of the options considered, as APC places a direct burden on ATOL holders in what is a difficult trading environment. We look forward to the APC returning to the level of £1 as soon as the finances of the ATTF permit”

As part of the APC consultation, ABTA argued strongly for fundamental reform of the ATOL scheme. Mark Tanzer said: “Not only is the existing scheme of financial protection fragile, it has also created great uncertainty and inequalities for the industry and the travelling public. We look forward to working now with the CAA and Government to develop a more effective and fairer system of consumer protection in travel”.
16 July 2009

For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Communications Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513, Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712325, Casia Zajac, Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515, Mobile: 0754 592 7411
Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190987
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, also provides an effective voice to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers at the highest levels.  In the UK, these include, government ministers, constituency MPs, Select Committee members, senior civil servants and members of the political opposition parties in both Westminster and the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

In Europe, ABTA is forming close ties with members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and staff within the Director Generals’ Secretariats. ABTA works in partnership with ECTAA (the European grouping of travel agents and tour operators’ associations) to lobby on interests relevant to its Members.