Abta News

Easter Holiday exodus, as 2m plan to travel
Travel Association ABTA estimates over two million British holidaymakers are set to leave this Easter weekend, April 1st-6th.

ABTA gives qualified welcome to Cameron support for dedicated Tourism Minister
ABTA welcomed comments made by opposition leader David Cameron last week in Devon to appoint a dedicated tourism minister should he win the election, but was disappointed at a lack of concrete proposals for the outbound sector.

Fita steps up to represent UK travel agents
A new independent travel agents’ group has been established to represent independent travel agents in the UK. The Federation of Independent Travel Agents (Fita) will replace the Triton Travel Group super-consortium; which had previously represented the interests of two largest independent travel agency chains in the UK - The Global Travel Group and Worldchoice UK.

ABTA launches its first manifesto
ABTA today launched its first ever Manifesto outlining ABTA’s position on the key lobbying issues facing the travel industry.

ABTA’s submissions on key European Union and UK reviews of transport and tourism legislation
ABTA has submitted recommendations over the last two months on two out of three fundamental reviews of transport and tourism legislation being conducted in the UK and the European Union and will be responding on the third tomorrow.

ABTA comments on the European Commissions plans for revising the 1990 package travel directive
Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection John Dalli gave an update yesterday on the Commission’s work on the revision of the Package Travel Directive.

ABTA calls on government to support European Air Passenger Protection
ABTA has sent a formal submission to the European Commission asking for a compulsory financial protection scheme for all air passengers.

ABTA today announced Travel Matters
ABTA today announced Travel Matters, a one day conference to be held on Thursday 3 June 2010 in Westminster.

Travel Agents have a bright future
A panel of industry experts last night concluded that there is considerable scope in the marketplace for innovative and savvy travel agents.

Legislation for the 21st Century - ABTA’s response to The Package Travel Directive review
ABTA is advocating a very radical overhaul of consumer protection in the travel industry.

Going to the States? Fill in the form!
Passengers who are flying to the States, or transiting through the USA from 20 January will not be allowed onto their flight if they have not completed their US Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (or ESTA), and received validation to travel, ABTA advised today.
‘X-Factor’ Destinations To Influence 2010 Traveltrends
The annual ABTA Travel Trends Report cites ‘x-factor destinations’ - those with something new and unique to offer - and a desire for travellers to give something back to the destinations they visit, as key trends in British travel behaviour for 2010.