Roger Allard on tea boys, timing and travel regs

I was asked at the end of last year whether I would like to rejoin the ABTA Board after previously serving until 2007. Mark Tanzer explained to me in significant detail the changes that have taken place over the last 4 years including that John McEwan, ABTA’s Chairman would have to step down after the maximum 4 year tenure.

The timing fitted well with my decision to reduce the time I wanted to spend at All Leisure, post the acquisition of Page @ Moy and its integration and the appointment of Ian Smith to the Group CEO role.

Prior to my previous membership of the ABTA Board, when I was Group MD of Owners Abroad (now First Choice) I was deputy chairman on TOSG and a Director of its trust fund as well as Chairman of the Aviation committee (now FTO) for 4 years.  

Since stepping down from the ABTA Board in 2007, I have continued to represent ABTA at the ATIPAC (Air Travel Insolvency Protection Advisory Committee) which reports to the Ministry of Transport, as well as the ABTA Appeals committee. I have also been Chairman of Light Blue Travel a small Business and retail agent and specialist tour operator in Cambridge since 2001.

In his time as Chairman, John McEwan has done a great job in helping to move the industry and ABTA forward and has made a vast improvement in the management of ABTA along with Mark Tanzer.  

There are still significant challenges to overcome in the next few years and I feel I am now in a position to give focus to ABTA,  drawing on my depth of knowledge and understanding of our industry, in order to move forward.  Work remains to be done on ensuring the whole ABTA membership is represented, and for ABTA to clearly explain how it is working on behalf of its membership and the benefits it brings them.

One of the most immediate issues is the "call for evidence" and the proposed suggestions for change to the ATOL regulations by the Government.  It is vital that ABTA has a fundamental input to any proposed changes.

 As an Association, we need to effectively control, and ultimately reduce, the red tape surrounding our industry, and endeavour to give ABTA members a more competitive edge than members of other associations which are less heavily regulated.  There is no doubt that to bring ABTA not only into the 21st century but to be prepared for the long term future, change needs to happen.

I am very impressed with how ABTA has approached environment and sustainability issues, and with our lobbying of government – but there is still much to be done – all of this against a background of shrinking Governmental support as they try and refill their coffers.

Having started as a tea-boy in a tour operator at the age of 14 at weekends, I have been in the travel industry for over 40 years – with experience of tour operating, retail and business agencies, aviation and cruising, I feel I have much to offer the ABTA membership and that it is time to return the experience and knowledge I have gained.