ABTA – The Travel Association
Complaints – Phone Numbers And Address
What Is Abta
ABTA is the UK’s largest travel association in the UK and it has been around for over 60 years. Over these years, ABTA has built a reputation for expertise, reliability and fairness and as a result is now the name and logo that most people look for when booking their holiday arrangements. Seeing the ABTA logo displayed on a Tour Operator or Travel Agents shop front, stationery or website provides peace of mind to customers.
Most people today are familiar with the name ABTA and what they stand for. If you are booking a holiday and do not see the ABTA logo displayed, it is always advisable to ask the company if they are ABTA bonded. If you are unsure as to whether or not a company is a member of ABTA, you can visit the ABTA website and enter the company name into the search facility and it will perform a search and let you know whether or not the company is registered. If you wish to perform a search, you can do so by clicking on the following link below which will allow you to search the ABTA Members List.
The ABTA Members List
As ABTA is the largest Travel Trade Association in the UK, it has a very large number of members. In order for a Tour Operator or Travel Agents application to become a member of ABTA, they must first comply with certain strict guidelines. The beauty of the ABTA members list, is that you know that each and every Tour Operator or Travel Agent on the list is protected. This means that if you book your holiday or travel arrangement through them, you too will be protected.
If you wish to check or find a Tour Operator or Travel Agent to see if they are on the ABTA Members list, simply click on the following link below and then enter the company name, postcode, town or the ABTA number and then click GO:
What Does ABTA Stand For
ABTA is simply the abbreviation of ‘Association of British Travel Agents’. ABTA was formally known as The Association of British Travel Agents until 2007 when it officially changed its name to ABTA.
Is ABTA The Same As ATOL
No, ABTA and ATOL are different organisations. ABTA is the Travel Trade Association for Tour Operators and Travel Agents in the UK and it designed to protect customers and ensure they receive high standards of service from its members. ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) is a scheme that is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority and is designed to protect flights and air holidays. To read more about ATOL, please click on the following link:
Why Book With An ABTA Member
Booking your travel arrangements through an ABTA Member means that they are committed to following a strict code of conduct which ensures you as a customer, will receive a very high standard of service, fair terms of trading and accurate information.
Let’s face it, most people save long and hard to be able to pay for a holiday and paying for a holiday is probably one of the most expensive purchases people make each year. The last thing you as a customer wish to experience when booking your holiday or travel arrangements is any problems or to lose your money in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Such circumstances could be a Travel Company you booked your holiday through going out of business. If you have booked your holiday through a company that is ABTA registered, then you will receive the full backing of ABTA to ensure you are financially compensated in such events. If possible, you should always book your package holiday through a company that is ABTA registered, this will ensure you are automatically protected from the start.
ABTA Protection
There are several areas of the booking and travel process that ABTA protects its members and you their customer. Booking a package holiday through an ABTA member will provide you with the most protection. Package holidays are automatically protected and entitle you to a full refund or repatriation should the Tour Operator go out of business. Booking a package holiday also provides you with the additional entitlement to legal protection should you encounter any problems on your holiday.
ABTA Code of Conduct
Each company that is registered with ABTA and as is therefore a member of ABTA, has to follow certain guidelines. These specific guidelines are in place, so that high standards of service can be achieved. As a result of implementing these strict guidelines, it helps to build consumer confidence when booking travel. The rules and guidelines that are set by ABTA are known as the ‘ABTA Code Of Conduct’ and each member is committed to following this code. This then ensures that you as a customer receive an efficient service all the way through the booking process of your holiday and also when you are traveling.
The ABTA Code Of Conduct covers many areas and highlights the various stages of travel. These various stages of travel can been seen below:
1. Before a Booking is made
2. Making the Booking
3. Between Booking and Travel
4. After Departure
5. Communications between Members and Consumers and ABTA
6. General Conduct
7. Compliance with this Code of Conduct
8. Definitions of Terms used in this Code of Conduct & Principal’s Liability Insurance Notification Form
To read more about the ABTA Code of conduct, please click on the following link: Code Of Conduct
ABTA Complaints
In the unlikely event that something goes drastically wrong with your holiday, ABTA can offer you expert advice and have a 3 step complaints process in place for you the customer to follow.
https://abta.com/go-travel/travel-clinic/complaints
ABTA Phone Number: 020 3117 0599 – Open 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday
ABTA Address: ABTA Ltd, 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ