p34-35 Letters May 8 5/5/09 18:16 Page 44
Your letters
Freedom’s collapse opened
a can of worms for Abta
In the wake of the collapse of Freedom Direct
Holidays, I feel questions have to be asked
Why do operators
regarding Abta’s role, the protection they offer
and why they are not enforcing the Abta
Protection Plan that agents can offer for parts
of a package that are not protected.
We are members of the Travel Trust Associa-
tion, and I would not want this to come across spurn our loyalty?
as an anti-Abta letter. However, I feel that the
public and agents have been brainwashed by
Abta that it offers protection, yet the stories WHAT have us travel agents done
LET
Eight regular clients called me
emerging from the affected people suggest the to you tour operators? None of
OF THE
TER
today to ask if I could beat an online
whole thing is a complete mess. Abta stopped you would be anywhere today price. Could I? No, of course not.
offering protection on certain elements of a without the loyalty and support
WEEK
Please let us all have a level play-
package some time ago, but I don’t think the from those of us that faithfully ing field, for the good of the industry,
public or even agents are aware of this. recommended and booked our trust- and stop this demoralising game.
Abta’s website advises customers: “If your ing clients their holidays through you! I came into my job as someone who wanted
arrangements aren’t automatically protected, Now you have ripped the souls out of us to give my clients a good service, and yes I am
ask if your travel company can offer you an by discounting both online and on the phones still doing that. But I am losing my knowledge
insurance policy that will protect your money. to our customers directly, offering exclusive and expertise to an online booking facility.
Abta has arranged a policy specifically for this – offers to newspapers that we cannot have.
the Abta Protection Plan – which is available to Do you think we are not capable of promoting Jenny Jackson.
buy through most Abta members.” your so-called “exclusive” reader offers? personal travel advisor, Future Travel
Why then does it seem that most of Freedom’s
customers were not given the choice to have
this supplier failure protection? In fact, why Madeira fam has opened I have already managed to make a booking
does Abta not also offer agent failure insurance? the door to more sales since my return and I’m sure I will do many more
I will be glad when protection is standardised. I have just returned from a fam that has in the future. So thank you to Atlantic Holidays
changed my preconceptions of Madeira. and especially Dino Toouli for your hospitality!
Mark Littlejohns, Complete Travel Solutions We covered funky minimalist five-stars,
which I would never have expected to find Jan Cole, senior sales specialist,
■ TTG would welcome a response from Abta there, as well as traditional properties. Spa Travel, Boston Spa, West Yorkshire
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34 08.05.2009
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