Booking Your Holiday? New Code Of Practice Will Give Consumers Confidence
Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service has welcomed the launch of the Association of British Travel Agents’ (ABTA) Approved Code of practice to consumers.
The Code gives consumers booking a holiday confidence that they will receive a high standard of customer service where they see the OFT/ABTA Approved Code logo.
Magenta Devine, well known writer and presenter of TV’s Rough Guide travel show, has lent her support to the Code which is being launched at one of the busiest times of the year for buying a holiday.
Noel Hunter, Director of Warwickshire Trading Standards said:
‘We are very happy to promote any initiative that gives consumers greater protection when buying goods and services. Looking for the OFT/ABTA Approved Code logo is one way in which consumers can have greater confidence when booking their holidays.’
The ABTA Code aims to ensure that the public receive the best possible service from members and to regulate the activities of ABTA members. The Code provides facilities to deal with consumer complaints by a system of arbitration and has a Code of Conduct Committee who can penalise members who breach the Code.
In 2004 64.2 million visits abroad were taken by UK holidaymakers, 20 million of which were package holidays. ABTA represents the majority of UK travel agents and tour operators, its members accounting for around 90 per cent of package holidays sold in the UK. They also provide a range of independent travel options. Members of ABTA will be able to use the OFT Approved code logo to display their commitment to high quality customer service standards.
The OFT only approves codes that are effective in safeguarding and promoting consumer interests beyond the legal minimum. The main benefits for consumers dealing with ABTA members include:
access to low cost dispute resolution via arbitration should things go wrong
a disciplinary committee to deal with members who do not deliver the standards required by the code
a set of model terms and conditions.