ABTA UPDATE NOEL JOSEPHIDES, ABTA CHAIRMAN Rosy prospects
T is year has started positively, with fuel costs remaining low and the pound riding relatively high against the euro. Together with the abolition of APD for under-12s from 1 May,
the message to consumers is loud and clear — lower prices and exceptional value for overseas holidays. ABTA’s Earlybird campaign, which launched in the middle of
last month, reinforced the message that now is the best time for consumers to book, off ering great deals and the widest choice. Going by the data issued by market research company GfK, as well as anecdotal evidence from many ABTA Members, it looks as though increasing numbers of consumers are now doing just that rather than looking for last-minute cheap deals. T e next 12 months will see a raft of signifi cant events: the
announcement on the shape of a revised Package Travel Directive, the publication of the Airport Commission’s recommendations and the small matter of a General Election in May. T ese we can plan for, but experience has taught us there will inevitably be events that come at us out of the blue. Many of these may have the potential to signifi cantly impact on your business, but regardless of whatever happens, you may rest assured that ABTA will be there looking out for and defending your interests.
Election issues
In the lead-up to the General Election, all the major parties are jockeying for position. Last month’s call for tour operators to pass on savings due to lower fuel costs was an easy hit showing concern, which ignored the realities that most operators don’t buy fuel, but airlines do, and even the larger operators with their own airlines will have usually bought their fuel well in advance, so today’s prices are irrelevant. However, this desire to attract votes can be made to work in our favour, so look out for the ABTA Candidate Training pack we’ll be sending out soon providing useful pointers on how to infl uence your potential local MPs.
countrybycountry.com
3 March Complaints Handling Workshop A one-day, core skills workshop, ideal for those who work with complaints on a regular basis and want a wider awareness and understanding of the complaint handling process. The ABTA Member/ABTA Partner rate is £185 plus VAT, with non-Member rate £305 plus VAT. Held at ABTA’s offi ces, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ.
abta.com/events
10 March Travel Essentials: Health & Safety Management Seminar A one-day training event designed to help delegates understand their responsibilities in terms of health and safety, and give them the necessary tools to put an appropriate policy in place. Held at ABTA’s offi ces, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ.
abta.com/events
23 April ABTA Regional Meeting: East The ABTA team, along with chairman Noel Josephides, will meet Members to discuss issues such as the Package Travel Directive, VAT, the General Election and ABTA’s Earlybird Campaign. Held at Stansted Airport.
abta.com/events
28-29 April Travel Law Seminar This key travel industry event off ers expert updates on legal, regulatory and policy developments delivered by specialist travel lawyers, senior civil servants, ABTA’s internal legal team and travel industry professionals.
abta.com/events
February 2015 ABTA Magazine 9 Upcoming events
IMAGE: GETTY
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52