DIRECT Holidays is to appeal against ABTA’s decision to fine
it £25,000 for airing an advert judged to have muddied the body’s ‘reputation,
standing and good name.’
The Airtours-owned operator was cleared of a further charge
of misleading the public with the advert, which depicted agents as middlemen
who give no value to clients. It was greeted with widespread disbelief by the
trade.
Direct Holidays accused the travel industry media of
influencing ABTA’s decision, and said it would appeal against both the finding
and the fine imposed.