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ABTA calls for more analysis into ATOL
ABTA is calling for more detailed analysis before the Government makes any firm proposals on changes to the ATOL scheme.
It says much more work needs to be done before the Government puts forward proposals for consultation.
Following consultation with its members, the association has this week submitted its response to the Department for Transport’s Call for Evidence on the future of ATOL and the Package Travel Directive implementation and funding arrangements.
It said although members agreed there is need for change, they had a "diverse range" of views on how the scheme of protection should be structured and funded.
ABTA said it would support all options that are credible, supporting choice and competition, while keeping member costs down.
"The message coming through from our members is that the current system of protection in the UK should be reviewed, particularly with regards to simplifying the structure of the scheme, for the benefit of businesses and consumers," said chief executive Mark Tanzer.
"However, much more work needs to be done to understand the impacts of changes, financial or otherwise, before the Government puts forward proposals for consultation, not least taking into account requirements of a revised Package Travel Directive.
"Our members have had to embrace a great deal of regulatory change in the last two years and we are now in the midst of digesting and responding to some important changes being proposed by European policy-makers to the PTD.
"We need to get that right before drawing any conclusions about the future of ATOL. Specifically, ABTA has proposed a period of expert review in relation to the regulatory structures and risk financing of the UK arrangements for compliance with the Package Travel Directive.
"We do not believe that it is possible to determine the best structure for ATOL arrangements without further detailed analysis being undertaken."
ABTA’s response can be read in full here
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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