What is ABTA?

When booking a package holiday, the last thing you want to think about is your travel company running into financial difficulties. But in this situation, ABTA protection may be able to offer you crucial support.

Here's what you need to know.

What is ABTA?

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is a trade association founded in 1950 for UK tour operators, travel agents, and travel providers.

ABTA works closely with its members to deliver a high-quality service, and its cover can be used alongside travel insurance as an extra layer of security.

They also offer helpful advice, support, and guidance to holidaymakers on their website.

What does ABTA do?

ABTA can protect your holiday if you buy a rail, sea, or road-based package holiday through an ABTA member.

You may have also heard of Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL). It's important not to get it confused with ABTA. This is because, unlike ABTA, which covers sea, land, and rail, ATOL protection covers package holidays that include flights.

How can ABTA help me?

ABTA could help you by ensuring you're treated fairly, and that you're covered financially if there's unexpected changes to your travel plans.

This is mainly done through ABTA's Code of Conduct, which is a strict policy that all ABTA members must follow. It's used to make sure that all ABTA members treat their customers with fairness.

This includes guidance on things like handling complaints in the right way, accurate advertising, and providing travellers with the correct paperwork.

If your travel company cancels your holiday arrangements and they're an ABTA member, their booking conditions should align with ABTA's Code of Conduct.

So, you should get the choice of a full refund or other travel options if they're available.

How do I know if my holiday is ABTA protected?

The easiest way to discover if your holiday is ABTA protected is to check the website of the travel provider you've booked with.

If they're an ABTA member, you should see this clearly indicated. This could be the ABTA logo, or the travel company's unique ABTA identification number. You should also look for these indicators on any paperwork you've been sent.

If in doubt, the ABTA website also has a member search function. If your travel provider is an authentic ABTA member, they should be in the directory.

If my holiday is ABTA protected, do I still need travel insurance?

Yes, it's worth considering.

ABTA-protected holidays can help cover you if your holiday company goes into administration. But, they won't be able to help with other unexpected problems.

This is why taking out a travel insurance policy is important. It could help to cover you for things like damaged, stolen or lost luggage, emergency medical treatment, and travel disruption. Phew.