Saturday, 7 March 2015

As you may already know there are a wide range of legal framework that governs the Travel and Tourism industry and the regulatory authorities that manage and control various laws in industry. In detail I will explain some of the legal framework that governs the Travel and Tourism sector. I will be explaining the purpose of he law and enforcement and will also be explaining the processes of settlements for these laws.

Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) 

ATOL is used in the United Kingdom as a Civil Aviation Authority scheme that is being used in order to protect people whom are purchasing holiday packages. Well know tour operators such as Thomson and Thomas Cook hold an ATOL licence.
The ATOL licence is essential for tour operators as they may be breaching legal rules by illegally selling air travel tickets and holiday packages. The ATOL licence is used in order to ensure that a fair deal is being offered to customers and tourists travelling from the UK. By obtaining a ATOL license tour operators will be required to maintain insurance bonds from the CAA. This will ensure that tourists will be able to obtain refunds is they are effected by events that deny them from travelling. The ATOL licence and CAA insurance will also ensure that tour operators are able to find backup solutions in the case of any problems that may occur with the accommodation or any other activities that are included in the flight and holiday package.

If a tour operator does not hold an ATOL licence or the licence has expired without the intention of renewing the licence it would be a breach of trade. This means that the tour operator will be placed on a list with other tour operators that are not legally allowed to sell flight tickets and holiday packages to tourists. In terms of legal proceedings the case of not having an ATOL licence will be a criminal offence as the tour operators will be illegally selling tickets to tourists. In terms of dispute resolution the case between ATOL and tour operators that are breaching the legislation will be dealt as litigation.


The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) was founded by 22 leading travel companies in the 1950’s. ABTA since the 150’s has become the UK’s largest travel association which represents tour operators and travel agents. ABTA currently represent around 5,000 shops and offices and have around 1,200 members. ABTA have been a trusted travel brand for over 60 years as they offer advice and guidance to holiday makers.

ABTA have a code of conduct which is abide by their members. The code of conduct includes areas such as accurate advertising, fair terms of trading, changes to bookings and managing customer’s complaints. ABTA’s registered members must ensure that when they are advertising holidays that all the information must be correct which includes no misinterpretations of advertisements and services provided.

Customers are protected by ABTA’s code of conduct which means that holiday makers can expect to relax once there holidays have been booked. This has to do with the fact that the holidays which have been sold by ABTA members are protected financially in the event of the companies failure in being able to provide the holiday and also in the event of the travel agency or tour operator closing down due to not having the financial stabilities. As long as the holidays have been booked trough ABTA member agencies it would mean that all damage costs will be covered by ABTA which will leave the holiday maker stress free.  

If there are any situations that involve problems with the travel arrangements or with miss sold packages then the holiday maker will have the option to solve this issue in court trough the civil law process. The argument of miss sold holiday packages can be bought up in court if a tour operator that is a member of ABTA has provided false advertisements for the destination and the services on the holiday which include hotels and activities. 

Bibliography:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1080


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