THE Civil Aviation Authority has developed a new
factsheet for the trade in a fresh drive to promote the benefits of
ATOL protection to consumers.
The sheet, available to agents, tour operators and reservations
staff, explains in detail the benefits of ATOL protected products
and outlines the dangers of booking online.
ATOL promotion manager David Clover said it had been working
with tour operators and agents this year to get them to consider
ATOL coverage as a selling point to promote to customers.
“It’s a very positive proposition to give to consumers who
might otherwise book online,” he said.
The move follows a trade advertising campaign launched earlier
this year. Advertising will be aimed at consumers in a new campaign
to be launched next year, to tie in with the peak booking
period.
He admitted consumer awareness of ATOL was “disappointing”
– its own survey last year revealed spontaneous awareness
among consumers was 17%. However, agents were ideally placed to get
the message across, he said