‘Let Agents Be Agents’ – ABTA argues its case in Brussels

2012-11-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — In anticipation of important changes to the Package Travel Directive, to be published in spring 2013, in its latest meetings in Brussels ABTA has been making a strong case for preserving the diversity of business models. This includes ensuring that whatever range of holidays is brought within the scope of a new Directive, Members who currently sell these as agents will be able to continue doing so.

ABTA Chief Executive, Mark Tanzer, met the EU Commissioner responsible for package travel, Vice-President Viviane Reding, who is responsible for the review of the Package Travel Directive, to stress that the agency model brings additional choice to consumers, and is a critical part of a free competitive market.

Tanzer also emphasised to the Commissioner other concerns raised by Members in its consultation on the PTD reforms, such as the infeasibility of cooling off periods for the travel industry and the need to include click-through sales in order to create a level playing field and maximise consumer protection.

Speaking on his return, Mark Tanzer said: “By meeting the Commissioner and her advisors, ABTA is taking our Members’ views to the highest levels in Brussels. We will continue to press the case for reform whilst ensuring that the reforms avoid unnecessary red tape and that agents retain the ability to trade as agents.  The issue of consumer protection is quite distinct from that of organisers’ business models, and that distinction must not be lost in the Package Travel review. It was a constructive meeting in which we shared our concerns and clearly explained the rationale behind them. We will continue to press our case to MEPs, the Commission and Member States in the coming months.”

ABTA is also in dialogue with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the UK to argue that any changes to consumer protection, which may be required under any revised Directive, will not be a determining factor in whether agents have additional tax liabilities. This issue is subject to current case law passing through the Court of Appeal, and is being tracked closely by ABTA on behalf of its Members.

The details of the proposed revisions to the Package Travel Directive are expected in spring 2013. These will be debated in the European Parliament and the European Council before the new Directive is finalised for probable implementation in 2016.

Members can keep up to date with ABTA’s lobbying work at: www.abta.com/ptd and send any questions or feedback to ptd@abta.co.uk.

22 November 2012

For further information

Sean Tipton, Media Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0513
Gillian Edwards, Senior Public Relations Manager, 020 3117 0514
Victoria Bacon Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515
Out of Hours: Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
Twitter: @ABTAtravel

Notes to editors

About ABTA
ABTA has been at the heart of travel for more than 60 years. Our purpose is to help our Members to grow their businesses successfully and sustainably, and to help their customers – the travelling public – have confidence in their travel experience.

The ABTA brand stands for expertise, reliability and fairness. These qualities are core to us. They ensure that holidaymakers remain confident in the holiday products that they buy from our Members.

We help our Members and their customers navigate through today’s changing travel landscape by providing schemes of financial protection and a course of redress if something goes wrong; by raising standards in the industry and by giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety; and by presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.

ABTA currently has around 1,300 Members and represents over 5,000 retail outlets and offices. For more details about what we do, what being an ABTA Member means and how we’re working at the heart of the industry to ensure that we continue to build confidence in travel visit www.abta.com.

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