MAJESTIC Travel owner Steven Freudmann has emerged as the
radical candidate in the ABTA interim-presidential election
race.
Freudmann, Institute of Travel and Tourism chairman and ABTA
president from 1997 to 2000, wants to see a shake-up of the
association’s existing framework, including the scrapping of
the regional structure to be replaced by a direct role for the
consortia.
He also wants increased board powers to set ABTA’s agenda
and throw out suspected fraudulent agencies immediately without an
appeal process.
Freudmann’s rival candidates Voyager Travel owner Sandy
MacPherson, Personal Service Travel director Martin Wellings and
Major Travel general manager of trade affairs John Dellaway have
more conservative manifestos.
All three aim to keep the status quo and steady the ship
following a difficult period for ABTA which has culminated in the
resignation of president John Harding following Travelscene’s
demise.
Freudmann believes the regional structure, made up of member
meetings and the Council of Regions, is ineffective and
unrepresentative of grass roots ABTA members.
This year seven people on average attended Southwest regional
meetings, with 12 members at the Scottish meetings, while the
Southern region has yet to meet, according to Freudmann.
He believes a more central role for consortia would allow
frontline issues to be fast-tracked for Newman Street’s
attention.
“The ABTA regional structure is not working. It should be
abolished,” said Freudmann, who used to represent the Northwest
region. “People just do not attend the meetings.”
MacPherson claimed the interim president needs to consolidate
ABTA’s position and improve communication with members.
“Now is not the time for radical change,” he said. “We need some
image repairing and somebody out there who is unafraid, unabashed
and proud of the association.”
Dellaway agreed ABTA requires stability.
“If a new president opts for radical change, maybe ABTA will be
geared up for it in six months’ time.
“But there is such a lot happening at the moment, it could do
with a quiet period.”
Wellings called for a mandatory document to be issued to
holidaymakers at the time of booking with details of bonding
cover.
“A good deal of transparency is called for. It’s got to be
clear to the public,” he said.
He insisted ABTA should maintain its bonding role but be wary of
working with “split” companies with bonded and unbonded
divisions.
All votes for the interim president will be collected by
September 13 with a result due before the September 22 board
meeting.