Abta urged to consult all members over fees


Juliet Dennis


Abta has been urged to carry out a formal consultation with all members on its annual subscription levels following criticism about this year’s fees. Chris Photi, head of travel and


leisure at industry accountancy firm White Hart Associates, called on Abta to take an “absolutely transparent approach” to projected finances, and suggested focus groups on its services should be extended to a wider questionnaire for all members. Photi’s call follows a plea by agent


action group Target to halve the proposed 2021-22 subscription fees. Abta did so in 2020, resulting in a £3.3 million drop in income. Subscriptions, due from July 1,


are calculated on members’ turnover from the previous year but for 2021 are based on 2019. Photi backed Target’s plea,


saying: “They [Abta] should consult members formally and obtain their input on whether Abta should take on board debt, instead of levying the additional increase in subscriptions.” Target’s members have also called


on Abta to cut costs, with many angry at levels of executives’ pay, while co- founders Graeme Brett and Jill Waite warned some members would not be


Abta chief executive


Mark Tanzer £3.3m


Fall in Abta income last year after it halved subscription fees


able to pay subscriptions this year. ATD Travel Services founder Olly


Brendon added: “This is as much about the principle as the money.” Abta said it understood “the


intense pressures” faced by members and insisted that as a trade association it regularly consulted with members about its services and costs. A spokesman said: “The setting of subscriptions is one of the essential


Teletext makes ‘formal’ pledge to repay over £7m in refunds


The Competition and Markets Authority said it would hold fire on court enforcement action after confirming an agreement by Teletext Holidays to pay more than £7 million in refunds to consumers for cancelled holidays. The CMA said Teletext owner Truly Holdings had “signed formal commitments” that customers will receive their money back.


6 3 JUNE 2021


activities of the Abta board. It regularly reviews the services required by members, and closely controls the cost of delivering those services. “They include paying refunds to


members’ customers [so far more than 40,000]; providing bonding and financial protection solutions; promoting the benefits of booking with an Abta member; legal advice; handling of government consultations; lobbying of government; and a widespread member communication programme through webinars and Abta’s website.” Abta said discretionary spending


had been “significantly reduced” in the current and next financial year, and subscriptions had been split into quarterly payments this year to make it easier for members to pay.


Aurora appoints Dewing as its first UK managing director


Aurora Expeditions has appointed Jos Dewing as its first UK managing director to spearhead growth of the Australian expedition cruise line in the British market. Dewing was most recently a consultant for SeaDream Yacht Club and was previously managing director of Voyages to Antiquity. He will be based in the UK.


Target seeks agent stories to sway select committee


Independent action group Target is calling on the trade to rally round ahead of a key government meeting next week. Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer


is due to address the Treasury select committee on June 7 as part of a session exploring financial support offered to sectors of the economy in response to the Covid pandemic. Target is calling on agents to


share experiences of how they have been hit financially. The group’s co-founder Jill


Waite, director of Pole Travel, said: “We are asking agents to share their experiences during lockdown with us and we will forward these to Mark Tanzer to give him the opportunity to use when he appears before the committee.” Fellow Target co-founder


Graeme Brett, director of Westoe Travel, called on all agents – employed and self-employed, owners and part-time workers – to get in touch. He added: “We’d especially like to hear from those excluded from grants and the reason for this.” Brett said no personal details of agents would be sent to


Abta. i Get Social, page 31


Tui sells 49% minority stake in Riu hotels portfolio for €670m


The Riu family is taking over Tui’s 49% stake in a jointly held portfolio of 19 hotels and two properties in development in a deal worth €670 million. Riu and Tui will continue to operate a 50:50 joint venture for a portfolio spanning 100 hotels and resorts worldwide. Tui said it would use the proceeds of the sale to reduce its debt.


travelweekly.co.uk


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