p2 contents dec19 17/12/08 21:41 Page 2
CAA holds the Sword
of Damocles over
news
non-Atol agents
THE CAA pulled off a neat trick last week when it
announced how it was going to settle claims in the
wake of the XL collapse (p6).
It had looked as if it was in a no-win situation. If
it refused to pay customers who booked through
non-Atol-holding agents, those agents would have
sued. Yet if it met those claims, the big two and the
Co-op, among others, would undoubtedly have
this week
brought their own legal action against the authority.
But by agreeing to meet claims from customers
of non-licensed agents, while demanding they cough
up, it keeps licence-holders and consumers happy,
for now.
At a time when confidence in consumer protection
Cook is Co-op’s Star partner
is arguably quite low, some have described the CAA’s The Co-operative Travel handed out Star Awards to its most valued trade
move as a stroke of genius. partners on Wednesday. The overall winner was Thomas Cook, and Cook’s Bhav
That’s no doubt not a view shared by agents now Patel (centre) and Marc Bennett (second from right) were there to collect the
facing the prospect of being chased through the award from the Co-op’s Shaun Hinds (left), Mike Greenacre and Janet Goodwin.
courts by the CAA if they refuse to pay up.
Apart from the huge payout they might face, the Recession. collapse of parent XL Leisure
big question is, do they carry on trading as they have Failures ‘to continue’ p4 Group in September, and revealed
been doing in the meantime? Thomas Cook boss Manny plans for an Italy programme
This dilemma is even more serious now one agent Fontenla-Novoa has predicted a
is facing 20 criminal counts against it. It’s a Sword of swathe of failures in the travel ILTM.
Damocles hanging over the heads of all the agents industry in the coming months Luxury sector downturn p14
who were operating in the same way. The downturn will hit the luxury
What’s the alternative? Change the way they trade Savings. travel sector and any agent who
and get an Atol, thereby risking admitting they were The party’s over p5 claims otherwise is not being real-
in the wrong all along? Cutbacks have seen large companies istic, delegates at the International
But, anyway, there’s another problem. In the cur- such as lastminute.com and Disney Luxury Travel Market in Cannes
rent climate the bonding market has all but collapsed rein in Christmas celebrations were told this week
and banks are reluctant to put up any money – so
the chances of getting a bond are pretty slim. XL fallout. Golf deal.
So it seems likely these agents will have CAA takes to the court p6 TTA/Nevada Bob’s tie-up p15
to stick to their guns. The CAA will pay out to all The Travel Trust Association has
And why wouldn’t they? Innocent until customers of XL-owned Freedom agreed an exclusive deal with golf
proven guilty, surely? And besides, the Flights and Pure Flights, but will retailer Nevada Bob’s to offer fully
agents the CAA has in its sights have always seek to recoup the money from bonded golfing holidays under its
been confident they are acting lawfully. agents it alleged were operating Atol. Golf products will also be
Abta has already successfully illegally outside of the Atol regime sold in TTA and Worldchoice
challenged the CAA’s view of a law shops.
under which the boss of one Split-up.
of its members now faces Going solo paid off p9 Advice.
prosecution and, if found guilty, Advantage boss John McEwan Hudson’s new division p14
potentially jail. has said the consortium is better Accountants McIntyre Hudson
It will be interesting to see how the off now it is outside of the Triton have set up a division that will
association now supports that mem- super-consortium step in to help save failing firms
ber and if it’s got the stomach for in the leisure and retail sectors
another fight with the regulators. New role.
Aspire boss at Sardatur p12 SECTORS.
Former Aspire boss Gianni Cruise p22
Lucy Huxley Editor Bonuglia has joined Sardinia Operators p24
specialist Sardatur following the Air p26
02 19.12.2008
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