History of ABTA


History of ABTA 1950s


1950 The Association of British Travel Agents is founded by 22 leading travel companies.


1951 ABTA's first Convention is held in Brighton.


1955 The Association merges with the Institute


1960s


1960 The first Code of Conduct is formally adopted at ABTA’s AGM. The Association’s Code of Conduct governs the relationship between Members and their customers, between Members and other Members, and between Members and ABTA.


1965 In the wake of the failure of two non- members, Fiesta Tours and Omar Khayyam, ABTA sets up the Common Fund. The Fund will repatriate stranded holidaymakers, refund deposits or provide alternative holidays, and is regarded as the first comprehensive nationwide consumer protection scheme. Tour operators become full Members of ABTA.


Cube houses, Rotterdam


of Travel Agents (ITA) to form the Association of British Travel Agents and Institute of Travel Agents Ltd. The organisation soon becomes known simply as ABTA.


1959 The first tour operators are admitted as affiliated Members.


1970s


1970 The first ABTA Convention is held overseas in Rotterdam.


1974 The value of ABTA’s scheme of financial protection is highlighted when major player Court Line fails financially — the worst crisis in the trade’s history. Other bodies hold the majority of the company’s bonds, but ABTA’s high public profile means the industry looks to it to take the lead, and it is heavily involved in helping with the repatriation and refunding of clients.


1990s


1993 The new ABTA Insurance Company provides shortfall insurance for tour operators. The Travel Agents’ Bond Replacement Scheme (TABRS) is established the following year.


1994 As part of its drive to develop its role as a trade association, ABTA sets up a dedicated Members’ Information Bureau.


1996 The Single Payment Scheme is launched to handle electronic payments between participating agents and operators.


1997 ABTA Magazine is launched.


Blue Mosque, Istanbul Brighton in the 1950s


1980s


1984 New ABTA Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are adopted. Affiliated membership is abolished.


1987 A new ABTA logo is introduced, replacing the traditional compass.


1988 The ABTA Benevolent Fund is established.


8 ABTA CountryByCountry Guide 2016


countrybycountry.com


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