Convention must be a catalyst for real change

ABTA Travel Convention Comment by Paul Riches, youtravel.com sales and marketing director

The main focus of the Travel Convention without a doubt has to be financial protection and all it implies. This is a realm that concerns not only the customers but also the agent.

It’s been said many times before but the need for a level playing field on this issue has never been greater than now. The collapse of XL has not only left thousands of people disappointed and disillusioned with the travel industry but also confused and concerned over future travel plans and their stability.

This is a time for the travel industry to come together as one and educate the public on the importance of financial protection. It’s a time for us to be able to say in black and white terms where consumers stand, however I fear that in the current state things are rather more grey than this.

For years whenever we’ve spoken about the need for financial protection, industry pundits have said that the public just isn’t interested and won’t be unless a major player fails leaving thousands stranded. Well this is has happened and the spotlight is well and truly on us. The time for movement is now.

As ABTA is a wider and more inclusive association than ever before, thanks to the merger with the Federation of Tour Operators, I hope that this convention gives us all a chance to glimpse the future in a real and tangible way in terms of reform of the financial protection.

The Travel Convention is a megaphone that infiltrates the travel trade press as well as the national consumer papers, I hope that they use this considerable power to communicate the way ahead.

In the wake of the demise of XL, ABTA representatives were on the news, in the papers and on the radio speaking on behalf of the industry. However this should not stop now.

This must continue so that the consumer knows that the travel is on their side and that we are working together to ensure that we’re building a secure infrastructure. What the XL collapse highlighted – to those within the industry as well as those outside – just how complicated the current system is.

Let’s sit together, listen to one another, offer opinion and hope that this convention acts as a catalyst to see real change in the financial protection arena.