ABTA to alter ‘dot conned’ Web advert

ABTA to alter ‘dot conned’ Web advert

ABTA is changing its controversial ‘Don’t be dot conned’ poster campaign after an outcry from Web travel companies.

The campaign was launched last month to warn the public of the dangers of booking travel on the Web. The ‘dot conned’ phrase will remain when posters go up in January but text will be added to ensure customers are not misled.

But the press campaign will continue until December 27 despite rumours after the ABTA conference in Kos that it would be scrapped.

ABTA chief executive Ian Reynolds said: “We have taken note of the concern and I think the firms had a point. A high proportion of people, when reading posters, see the picture and take the top line message rather than the small print.

“The original plan was to have posters without any explanation. In view of the concern expressed by dot-com firms we are not going to use the headlines without the full text.”

E-Dreams director of UK marketing Karen Gee said: “I hope they drop it soon.”