p8-9 in-depth May22 20/5/09 19:35 Page 8
abta election special
ttglive.com
The two candidates battling it out for the role of Abta chairman talk to TTG about why members should vote for them
‘It’s time we had an
independent guy’
Daniele Broccoli, who could be the youngest Abta chairman,
says he’d be the first to understand small agents. By Chris Gray
DANIELE BROCCOLI pledged Daniele Broccoli persuade the government over
his first move if he were issues such as APD and extending
Age: 43
elected Abta chairman would
Job: Owner, Britaly Travel
the £1 levy to all flights had
be to call for agents to be
Previous experience:
been partly because ordinary
allowed to defer subscription Abta board of directors (2006- members were not involved.
payments this year.
present), Abta Council of Re-
He said he would enlist mem-
Broccoli said he would ask
gions (2000-06), Abta eastern
bers to write to their local MPs
regional chairman (1998-2006)
the board to allow members to
Other experience:
about issues affecting their busi-
pay half in July and half later
Magistrate (1995-present)
nesses so politicians could put
in the year rather than in one pressure on ministers, which he
go, in recognition of the hard said would be more effective
times they were facing in the recession. than relying purely on top Abta officials. “That
Speaking to TTG in his one-branch agency way we will become one big voice,” he added.
in Peterborough, Broccoli said his proposal Broccoli said he believed the best hope for
demonstrated how he understood the day-to- ending confusion among customers and agents
day lives of individual Abta members. about what financial protection the association
His other plans are to get ordinary members provided was to create an Abta “umbrella Atol”.
involved in lobbying, revive the Council of It would take a £1 payment from every
Regions, and press on with creating an Abta customer for anything booked with an Abta
“umbrella Atol” that he said could potentially agent, which would be collected through the
stop the CAA having to increase the £1 levy. association’s single payment system.
Broccoli, who joined his father in running The association’s Atol would then cover all
Britaly Travel when he was 17, dismissed claims members if they or any of their suppliers failed,
he lacked the experience to be chairman. he said. It would raise millions for the CAA that
He said his 25 years’ experience of running an could be used to stop the £1 levy being increased.
agency was of more relevance to members than Broccoli claimed he would be more approach-
making multimillion-pound deals as head of a able than any previous holders of the post,
consortium. previously known as president.
Broccoli has also run a small tour operator, Typ- “Previous presidents have been from big
ically Italian, for three years, which he said meant companies or multiples and it could be a bit
he had experience of both sides of the industry. remote. It’s time we had a small independent guy
And he claimed the industry’s failure to there to lead Abta,” he added.
Noel Josephides, Sunvil managing director, ministers. They will listen more to someone who is Election countdown:
nominated Daniele Broccoli: “Daniele will involved in risking his own money in the business. Election packs were sent out this week
better represent the smaller Abta retail agent “I will support whoever wins, but it is not true by Abta to designated contacts in each
and we need that sector to be properly to say somebody with masses of experience in of its 1,391 members, around 400 of
represented within the association. the industry would be the most effective lobbyist. which are tour operators
“Based on my experience with Aito, a small or “Daniele is young and fresh and will be listened
medium-sized enterprise, such as a small tour to. People grow into roles and bring new things Each company/member is allocated
operator, packs more clout with government and to those roles. Don’t underestimate his ability.” one vote. Large firms with multiple
08 22.05.2009
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