The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust (ABTOT) opens the door to new ‘all-in-one’ bonding service as well as unique card payment facility.
ABTOT, the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited has launched a streamlined bonding service for its members. Under this exciting new service ABTOT will provide financial protection for both licensable and non-licensable travel (flight-inclusive and non-flight travel).
Since 1993, ABTOT has been providing a straightforward and economical way for travel organisers to comply with their non-licensable obligations under the 1992 Package Travel Regulations (PTRs). Now holding an ATOL franchise granted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), ABTOT is the only association offering total protection via a combined ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) and bonding scheme, allowing organisers to be fully compliant via a single trade body. Bonding is recognised by many in the industry as the most practical and expedient way of complying with the Regulations.
The new ABTOT Combined facility simplifies financial protection for ABTOT members, covering their total turnover through one application and via one association, ensuring a much more efficient and cost-effective application process.
Complying with the current Regulations can be a distraction for travel organisers, taking valuable time away from running and promoting their businesses. The current complexity surrounding financial protection in the UK travel industry may increase with the implementation of the Package Travel Directive in 2018. ABTOT can help prepare members, in so far as they are affected by the new Regulations when they are unveiled.
Paul Fakley, Development Director of ABTOT commented: “Changes to the PTRs are anticipated for January 2018 and unfortunately they won‘t resolve one of the main hurdles that currently exists with two parallel sides to consumer financial protection within the travel industry. It’s our mission to simplify and streamline the financial protection process for our members as much as possible. As an ATOL Franchisee we’re now able to guarantee one application and one point of contact, providing an all-in-one bonding approach that small and medium sized travel organisers have been waiting for. To help in this process we have also bolstered the ABTOT team with 2 new appointments. Samantha Bradbury is the new Membership Secretary and Natalie Black is now Development Manager.”
ABTOT offers industry-first card payment cover
In an industry first, ABTOT is also launching a low-cost, highly competitive card payment facility to all ABTOT members. ABTOT will take on some of the responsibilities of the merchant acquirer, ensuring all claims will be met by ABTOT in case of an ABTOT member’s collapse or failure. ABTOT members now have access to a highly competitive card payment facility, which is simple and straightforward, with reduced fees, admin and reporting requirements.
Paul Fakley continued: “We’re evolving and responding to market changes just as our members have to. This is the first time a travel trade association has launched two high profile facilities at once and we’re delighted to be able to remove duplication and save our members time and money.”
As an approved Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) body and CAA approved body, new ABTOT members will go through a similar selection process to that which ABTOT already has in place. This ensures that only reputable, skilled and leading travel organisers in their field are accepted for membership, meaning consumers have complete peace of mind in the knowledge that their trip is booked through a reputable and financially sound ABTOT member.
Full details of ABTOT Combined can be found here www.abtot.com.
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Notes to editors:
Rooster PR will coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for Paul Fakley, Development Director of ABTOT.
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About ABTOT
ABTOT was founded in 1993 to provide a straight forward and economical way for specialist travel organisers to comply with their obligations under the Package Travel Regulations (PTRs) originally introduced in 1992. ABTOT offers financial protection for both professional and occasional travel organisers that provide non-licensable and licensable travel, meaning any non-flight and flight-inclusive packages. This includes independent travel organisers that sell holidays directly to customers, as well as clubs, societies, associations and charities who occasionally organise trips.
For more information go to www.abtot.com.
