ABTA to debate Web issues at e-travel forums

Discussion groups will allow the association to keep up to date with the on-line community

ABTA to debate Web issues at e-travel forums

Report by LOUISELONGMAN

ABTA has set up a forum to discuss the growing impact of the Internet on the travel industry.

The association has sent invitations to 25 companies, which are involved in e-commerce, to participate in ABTA e-Travel forums.

ABTAhead of legal services Riccardo Nardi said:”We need to keep up to date with the on-line community.

“The forum will take the form of a discussion group where we can raise issues and bounce ideas off each other. We have invited companies like British Airways Holidays and big e-commerce players like expedia.co.uk as well as smaller operators. We are also inviting companies that are not directly involved in travel but who have a strong Internet presence,” he said.

Topics that will be discussed could touch upon anything from legal issues and back-office system problems to customer feedback.

The first forum will be chaired by ABTA chief executive Ian Reynolds and is due to take place at ABTA’s head office in Newman Street, central London, on September 27 at 10am.

ABTA amended its code of conduct provisions on e-commerce earlier this year in a bid to regulate companies selling travel using new media.

The association received accreditation from TrustUK in July, a new Government body that was set up to accredit on-line codes of conduct across different industries.

All ABTA members that have had their Web sites audited can use the TrustUK logo on their sites to show they are reputable companies.

ABTA is also asking members to register their Web site or domain name with the membership department following queries from customers checking whether an on-line company is ABTA registered.

Web site registration is free of charge and members should contact the ABTA membership department on 020-7307 1935 or send an e-mail to membership@abta.co.uk.

Bright sparks: Nardi, left, has invited e-commerce players to attend the forum so they can brainstorm and swap ideas