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Trading Standards get tough on financial protection wording
Agents are being urged to be careful about how they word financial protection guarantees in light of a crack down by Trading Standards.
ABTA is warning its members that Trading Standards officials are currently reviewing the wording on travel agent websites.
It says agents should not be making statements such as 'We are fully ABTA bonded' or 'All travel services are protected under our ABTA bond'. 

It told agents: "Most travel agents will sell some travel arrangements that aren’t covered by ABTA bonding or other protection, such as seat only from scheduled airlines or hotel accommodation from unbonded bedbanks, and it's therefore incorrect to suggest that all sales are protected."
Instead, it is advising agents to use this rather lengthy statement: 

'We are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. Many of the travel arrangements that we sell are protected in case of the financial failure of the travel company. Please ask us about the protection that applies to your booking.'
What do you think of ABTA's suggestion? Would it look good on your website? Do you think Trading Standards are right to get tough on this issue?
Please email us your views by clicking on ADD A COMMENT below.
by Bev Fearis
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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