Plane-Or-Sailing .co.uk, Travel Agents' Governing Bodies
With the proliferation of worldwide travel and the ensuing boom in the travel agents available it was deemed necessary to introduce a governing body to regulate the market and look after the rights of the consumer. This brought about ABTA and ATOL two bodies who ensure the consumer is covered in most circumstances.
ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents)
ABTA is an association whose members work to the highest standards. This ensures that holidaymakers get the most from their travel agents. ABTA travel agents are responsible for the sale of over 90% of package holidays in the UK and over 45% of other travel arrangements it has reached these levels due to a range of benefits it brings to the consumer such as the strict Code Of Conduct which needs to be adhered to at all times and allows you to book in confidence. Many travel arrangements booked through an ABTA travel agent are also covered financially in the event of a financial failure of the travel company. Abta Travel Agents are also required to respond to any complaints regarding your travel arrangements within a strict time limit this give you reassurance that if anything goes wrong and your travel representative can't find a solution the travel agent will try their utmost to solve the problem. For more information on ABTA the Association of British Travel Agents and their code of conduct please visit their web site.
ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing)
ATOL is a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) run protection scheme for flights and air holidays. It protects you when a travel agent goes out of business leaving you without a flight, it stops you from losing money or being stranded abroad. By law most travel agents who sell airline tickets need to hold an ATOL license. When a travel agent becomes ATOL registered it has to lodge a bond with the CAA this allows the CAA to make payments to consumers if the travel agent goes out of business. There is also a Government backed fund called the Air Travel Trust that steps in if any ATOL bond isn't enough to look after everyone affected by a failure. For more information on ATOL please visit their web site.
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