TRADE ASSOCIATIONS & REGULATORY BODIES
Trade associations are set up to represent the interests of their members, a lot of them draw up codes of conduct, these lay down minimum standards under which their member companies must follow.
Here are some key associations within the travel and tourism industry:
- ABTA
- The Tourism Alliance
- AITO
- UKinbound
- The British Hospitality Association
- The Confederation of Passenger Transport UK
- The Federation of Tour Operators
Regulatory bodies exist to make sure that all travel and tourism operators serve the travelling public safely, fairly and efficiently. They are found at different levels in travel and tourism:
- Global – Bodies such as ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) regulate international air transport services.
- European – The European Commission introduces consumer protection measures for travellers, such as the Package Travel Regulations.
- National – The UK government is responsible for legislation concerning, for example, health and safety airport security.
- Local – Local authorities carry out a great deal of work on matters such as trading standards and inspections of hotels, restaurants and other food premises.
ABTA.
ABTA is the UK’s leading travel association; they have been at the heart of travel for over 60 years. There main aim is to help their customers – the travelling public – have confidence in their travel experience. The ABTA brand stands for expertise, reliability and fairness, and there level of brand recognition and trust among consumers is the highest of any travel trade association. It is estimated that over £31.5bn is spent on holiday arrangements with ABTA Members every year. Perhaps this is because booking with an ABTA Member gives people a peace of mind because they are committed to following a strict code of conduct, which means you’ll receive a high standard of service, fair terms of trading and accurate information. In fact, research shows that seven out of ten people see ABTA membership as essential when booking their travel arrangements!
ABTA help their Members and their customers get through today’s changing travel landscape by:
In order to build confidence in their Members, Customers and confidence that the industry is building a sustainable future. ABTA believes that the Travel industry needs to realize.
Code Of Conduct.
ABTA maintains a Code of Conduct which governs the relationship between Members and their customers, between Members and ABTA, and between Members and other Members. The Code of Conduct is provided for by the Articles Of Association,
which lay down the rules of membership.
The Code of Conduct applies to all ABTA Members and is central to achieving their aims, in particular delivering higher standards for consumers and building confidence in travel – it is the foundation on which they have built a strong level of consumer trust. Their Members are committed to following the Code of Conduct, which means customers will receive a high standard of service, accurate information and guaranteed complaint handling procedures if something goes wrong.
ABTA is the UK’s leading travel association; they have been at the heart of travel for over 60 years. There main aim is to help their customers – the travelling public – have confidence in their travel experience. The ABTA brand stands for expertise, reliability and fairness, and there level of brand recognition and trust among consumers is the highest of any travel trade association. It is estimated that over £31.5bn is spent on holiday arrangements with ABTA Members every year. Perhaps this is because booking with an ABTA Member gives people a peace of mind because they are committed to following a strict code of conduct, which means you’ll receive a high standard of service, fair terms of trading and accurate information. In fact, research shows that seven out of ten people see ABTA membership as essential when booking their travel arrangements!
ABTA help their Members and their customers get through today’s changing travel landscape by:
- Providing schemes of financial protection and a course of redress if something goes wrong.
- Raising standards in the industry and by giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety.
- Presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.
In order to build confidence in their Members, Customers and confidence that the industry is building a sustainable future. ABTA believes that the Travel industry needs to realize.
- Build from a foundation of successful businesses
- Deliver quality products, at every price level
- Have confident customers
- Share the benefits of tourism to ensure destinations thrive
- Manage the issues of finite resources and environmental impact
- Be able to create economically and socially rewarding jobs
- Make a fair tax contribution both at home and in the destinations
- Ensure that it is recognized for what it does, and the way in which it
does it.
Code Of Conduct.
ABTA maintains a Code of Conduct which governs the relationship between Members and their customers, between Members and ABTA, and between Members and other Members. The Code of Conduct is provided for by the Articles Of Association,
which lay down the rules of membership.
The Code of Conduct applies to all ABTA Members and is central to achieving their aims, in particular delivering higher standards for consumers and building confidence in travel – it is the foundation on which they have built a strong level of consumer trust. Their Members are committed to following the Code of Conduct, which means customers will receive a high standard of service, accurate information and guaranteed complaint handling procedures if something goes wrong.
International Civil Aviation Organisation.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation is an example of a Regulatory Body and is a specialized agency of the United Nations, the (ICAO) was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection.
ICAO has established three Strategic Objectives:
The International Civil Aviation Organisation is an example of a Regulatory Body and is a specialized agency of the United Nations, the (ICAO) was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection.
ICAO has established three Strategic Objectives:
- Safety: Enhance global civil aviation safety.
- Security: Enhance global civil aviation security.
- Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of Air Transport: Foster harmonized and economically viable development of international civil aviation that does not unduly harm the environment