ABTA News Page 22
ABTA reveals Brits spend as much before they travel as they do abroad
ABTA unveiled new research today at its annual Travel Matters event revealing the major contribution made to the UK economy by outbound travel. The report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), highlights that UK holidaymakers spend an average of £532 per person on holiday products and services before they have even left the country.
UK tourism industry calls for government support
UKinbound chief executive, Mary Rance, has voiced the organisation’s frustration at the government’s continued neglect of inbound tourism at ABTA’s annual Travel Matters conference. The event was attended by leaders in the travel and tourism industry.
ABTA reveals the economic value of outbound travel
ABTA unveiled new research today at its annual Travel Matters policy event revealing the considerable economic contribution made to the UK economy by outbound travel. The report by the Centre for Economics Research (Cebr), highlights that outbound travel directly contributes over £22bn to the economy, representing 1.6% of UK GDP.
Greening comes clean on Heathrow queues
Justine Greening, secretary of state for transport, has acknowledged the current queuing problems at passport control at Heathrow and other UK airports are “a problem that needs to be fixed”. Ms Greening was responding to questions from the floor following the release this morning of a report highly critical of the level of service provided by the UK Border Force following staff cuts last year.
ABTA reveals further details of the ABTA-ATOL joint administration scheme
ABTA – The Travel Association today revealed details of the combined bonding facility it will be able to offer Members as part of the ABTA-ATOL Joint Administration Scheme. The CAA will require new ATOL holders to have bonding arrangements in place in relation to their ATOL activity. The facility will give retail travel agents the choice to meet their total bonding requirements, through the mechanism of a combined retail and principal Bond, held by ABTA.
ABTA reveals details of ABTA-ATOL scheme
ABTA has revealed details of the combined bonding facility it will be able to offer Members as part of the ABTA-ATOL Joint Administration Scheme (ABTA-ATOL JAS). The CAA will require new ATOL holders to have bonding arrangements in place in relation to their ATOL activity. The facility will give retail travel agents the choice to meet their total bonding requirements, through the mechanism of a combined retail and principal Bond, held by ABTA.
ABTA launches ABTA-ATOL joint administration scheme
ABTA – The Travel Association today launched the ABTA-ATOL Joint Administration Scheme (ABTA-ATOL JAS) to provide Members with a simple and cost-effective process to comply with the new ATOL regulations. The scheme enables Members to apply for an ATOL licence through ABTA with lower fees.
ABTA responds to publication of department for transport ATOL regulations
ABTA – The Travel Association today provides its initial response to publication of the Department for Transport’s ATOL Reform Regulations. Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA said: “ABTA supports the extension of consumer protection for holidays and believes the concept of Flight Plus is the right first step towards achieving this, with the inclusion of holidays sold by airlines an essential second step.
ABTA: The great Easter getaway
ABTA – The Travel Association estimates 1.5 million British holidaymakers are set to head overseas for the Easter weekend of 6-9 April. Spain is the UK’s favourite foreign holiday destination over the weekend, with the Canary and Balearic Islands the most popular areas. Cyprus and Tunisia have also sold very well and will have high temperatures and guaranteed sunshine.
Bookings open soon for ABTA’s 2012 Travel Convention
Bookings open soon, on 16 April, for ABTA’s 2012 Travel Convention held at the luxurious, state of the art, all-inclusive Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa in Belek, a short drive away from Antalya in the South of Turkey. The Cornelia Diamond is considered the World’s Leading Fully Integrated Resort 2011 by the prestigious World Travel Awards, a five star complex, with a spa, sports and convention centre and its own 27 hole golf club.
ABTA submits its response to the CAA’s ATOL “Standard Terms” consultation
ABTA – the Travel Association, today submitted its formal response to the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA’s) consultation on the practical implementation of the Department for Transport’s reforms to the ATOL scheme of financial protection. A six week consultation on the “Standard Terms” was set out by the CAA in February 2012.
ABTA’s budget response: APD increases confirmed in budget
ABTA expressed its disappointment that the Government is to go ahead with an 8% double inflation rise in Air Passenger Duty rates from 1 April 2012. The announcement in today’s budget that APD rates will also increase by inflation from 1 April 2013 is a further hammer blow to the industry. The Chancellor expects to collect £2.2bn in 2011-12 from APD revenues, rising to £3.9bn by 2016-17, by far the highest aviation taxes in the world.