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ABTA gets OFT code approval

183/05    29 September 2005

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has secured OFT approval for its consumer code of practice. The code is designed to reassure holidaymakers they can expect fair treatment. The OFT's approved code logo signposts consumers to the agents covered by the code.

ABTA represents the majority of UK travel agents and tour operators. ABTA members account for around 90 per cent of UK package holidays sold in the UK. They also provide a range of independent travel options. Members of ABTA can now 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 basic requirements of the law. 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.

Welcoming ABTA's successful efforts to secure OFT approval for its code, Penny Boys, OFT Executive Director, said:

'Consumers can be confident that where they see the OFT code logo they will receive a high standard of customer service. It is great news that around ninety per cent of package holidays sold in the UK are covered by the code, thanks to the hard work of ABTA'.

The OFT Consumer Codes Approval Scheme comprises two stages:

• Stage one – the code sponsor must ensure the code meets the OFT's published core criteria and contains measures designed to remove or ease consumer concerns about undesirable trading practices in its sector
• Stage two - the code sponsor must prove that its code lives up to the promise made at Stage One, demonstrating that the code is being effectively implemented, by its members and that consumer disputes are properly resolved.

NOTES

1. ABTA's membership comprises approximately 1,722 individual
member companies made up of 1,409 travel agent members and 860 tour operator members. 547 members operated both as a travel agent and a tour operator. ABTA members operate out of approximately 4,732 travel agent branch offices and 135 tour operator branch offices. For further details about ABTA and to view its Code of Practice, visit the ABTA website.

2. ABTA submitted its code on 21 September 2001 for assessment under the OFT's code approval scheme. It completed stage one on 14 February 2003. See press release 15/03 for further information.

3. The Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 1, Section 8) gives the OFT powers to approve and promote consumer codes of practice that meet the OFT's core criteria. The OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme aims to promote and safeguard consumers' interests by helping consumers identify better businesses and to encourage those businesses to raise standards of customer service. See press release 31/01 for further details.

4. The Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) received approval on 27 September 2004 (see press release 153/04), the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association Ltd (VBRA) received approval on 13 October 2004 (see press release 169/04), the Direct Selling Association (DSA) received approval on 16 December 2004 (see press release 209/04) and the Ombudsman for Estate Agents Company Ltd (OEA) received approval on 8 September 2005 (see press release 170/05). Code sponsors that have completed stage one and are working towards approval of their code are: the Motor Vehicle and Repairers Association (see press release 09/05), the Debt Managers Standards Association (see press release 121/05) and the Carpet Foundation (see press release 158/05).

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