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Let agents be, says Tanzer
ABTA has urged EU chiefs to let agents be agents and not burden them with red tape and extra tax.
Chief Executive Mark Tanzer was in Brussels this week for vital talks with the EU Commissioner responsible for package travel, Vice-President Viviane Reding.
Far-reaching changes to the Package Travel Directive are to be published in spring 2013 which could see agents being penalized.
ABTA said the meeting was constructive but it would continue to press its case to MEPs, the Commission and Member States in the coming months.
"We will continue to press the case for reform whilst ensuring that the reforms avoid unnecessary red tape and that agents retain the ability to trade as agents," said Tanzer.
"The issue of consumer protection is quite distinct from that of organisers’ business models, and that distinction must not be lost in the Package Travel review."
In his meetings, Tanzer emphasised other concerns raised by its agency members about the infeasibility of cooling off periods and the need to include click-through sales in order to create a level playing field and maximise consumer protection.
ABTA is also speaking to UK Revenue and Customs to make sure any changes to the Directive will not see agents landed with additional tax liabilities.
"This issue is subject to current case law passing through the Court of Appeal and is being tracked closely by ABTA on behalf of its members," said an ABTA spokesman.
Any proposed changes to the Package Travel Directive will be debated in the European Parliament and the European Council before the new Directive is finalised for probable implementation in 2016.
Members can keep up to date with ABTA’s lobbying work at: www.abta.com/ptd.
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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