p4 news July10 8/7/09 21:31 Page 4
news
10.07.2009
C
O
Superbreak
E-Clear rethink
STO
VER
R
Y
joins Abta
over ‘risky’ travel
SUPERBREAK has become an operator member
of Abta after a deal was agreed on the level of
bonding the association demanded.
Chris Gray.
E-Clear had also handled
It is understood other domestic operators THE BOSS of one of travel’s payments for collapsed
have been keen to join Abta but bonding four main credit card businesses XL Leisure Group
demands have been a stumbling-block. payment processing firms and Zoom Airlines, but Elia
Superbreak sales director Ian Mounser said: has said he is “reassess- said his firm was insured
“Membership has hinged on the bonding issue ing” its involvement with for any exposure and the
and we have agreed a rate which reflects our the industry. impact was “nothing we
largely domestic focus. Elias Elia (pictured), could not handle”.
“With most of our clients in the UK, chief executive of E-Clear, But he warned that the
repatriation is not an issue and getting revealed it had changed Elias Elia: runs payment processor E-Clear, and travel industry had become
customers home would be far simpler, and the its trading terms with is also the “controlling party” in Allbury “riskier”, which meant that
amount we pay in bonding reflects that.” several clients but E-Clear had to “change” its
The operator joins other Holidaybreak brands insisted it had been “very fair” to them all. position regarding risks it took on.
Keycamp, Eurocamp and Explore! in Abta. E-Clear has several major UK clients including Asked about E-Clear’s long-term involvement
Holidaybreak finance director Bob Baddeley Flyglobespan and Allbury Travel Group, which in the travel industry, he said: “We are
said: “Abta membership offers both the best includes Libra Holidays, Argo and Jetlife. reassessing the position.” This, he added, was
route to protect our customers and show the He was speaking after the Slovak standard for all sectors.
financial strength and security of the company.” no-frills airline SkyEurope, which went into “If Thomas Cook has a question mark over it
Abta also welcomed North America specialist administration in June, said it was pursuing because of its parent and British Airways is facing
USAirtours as an operator member this week. E-Clear for millions of pounds it claimed was problems, the industry is becoming more risky.”
overdue. Speaking at a recent Cimtig event on regula-
Elia said he had heard nothing about any tion, TTA operations director Gary Lewis said
Ashes fans will
possible legal action from SkyEurope and firms such as E-Clear had a bigger impact on
claimed his company had kept the airline “alive”. travel firm operations than official regulators.
face higher APD
Many no-frills airlines used companies such as He claimed E-Clear was the most exposed of
E-Clear to keep cash coming in by selling tickets the main four as Abta and the CAA look to push
for flights a year ahead, he added. liability for failures on to the credit card industry.
ABTA has warned that cricket fans enjoying the
Ashes this week will have to pay up to £170 in tax
to fly to see the next series, in Australia, in 2011.
RECOVERY BID.
The group made a trading profit last winter for
The increases in Air Passenger Duty planned
for November this year and next mean APD on a Allbury narrows
the first time in years.
Chief executive Eamonn Ferrin said late
ticket to Australia will go up from £40 to £170 in
premium economy and £85 in economy.
its losses by 86%
bookings had increased “significantly” in the
past few weeks but summer 2009 would
Chief executive Mark Tanzer called on the remain “particularly challenging” for eurozone
government to cancel the increases because ALLBURY Travel Group reduced its losses to destinations.
of the damage it would cause to £1.9 million in the 12 months to the end of October Ferrin and chairman Michael East stood down
UK tourism and overseas last year, compared with £13.5 million in 2007. last week but are staying on as management
destinations. The 86% drop in losses came as turnover fell by consultants until the end of the summer.
It came as the European 45%, from £76.7 million to £41.9 million, according E-Clear managing director Elias Elia, who is the
Tour Operators’ Association to accounts filed at Companies House last week. “controlling party” in Allbury’s parent company,
warned London would lose its This was as a result of big cuts in charter seat the British Virgin Islands-based Allbury Ltd, said
place as the main gateway to capacity and committed hotel rooms, and a the two left after “completing their task of turning
Europe if the rises went ahead. reduction in administration costs. the company around”.
04 10.07.2009
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