| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 03/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 5 |
| Copyright: Other |
50 YEARS OF MEMORABLE OCCASIONS
1951 First ABTA convention in Brighton.1954 ABTArecognised the importance of employing a parliamentary agent.
1958 Joseph Taylor, chairman from 1958-1960, delivered a 4,000-word speech at the Torquay convention.
1960 ABTA’s first code of conduct adopted at AGM.
1960 Harry Chandler of The Travel Club of Upminster claimed the first jet charter from the UK, operating an Air France Caravelle to Basle – the firm still carries the slogan, Jet to the Sun!
1965 ‘Stabiliser’ was born – where ABTAtravel agents and operators only trade with each other (not made redundant until legislation in 1992).
1967-1969 Bob Smyrk’s diplomacy helped hold the various travel agents’ associations and tour operators together, urging members “not to break up ABTA for a can of beans”.
1972 Civil Aviation Authority was set up – Air Travel Organiser’s Licencestarted the next year and Air Travel Reserve Fund began in 1975.
1977-1980 Margaret Hook was the first and only female president to date – personally negotiating with foreign air-traffic controllers when they went on strike.
1980 Principals experiment with viewdata.
1982 National Training Board (now the Travel Training Company) was established.
1986 Top attendance figures of 3,700 at Surfers Paradise convention, Australia.
1989 Acapulco – earthquake hit the convention.
1992 Package Travel Regulations enforced.
1994-1995 Mike Monk, head of financial services claimed it was the year ABTAgot its financial house in order.
1995 Sun City convention – what many refer to as a ‘unique’ convention due to the location and although Nelson Mandela didn’t make it, a letter written by him was read out to delegates.
1998 Travel Weekly campaign helped ABTA toconvince the Government to scrap two-tier rate of Insurance Premium Tax.
1999 ABTAwins legal case against British Airways, Virgin and Lufthansa for separating Passenger Service Charges on tickets.