Opponents of the cut in agent representatives on ABTA’s board have accepted the change despite unhappiness at the way it was pushed through last week.
Barely one in 10 ABTA members voted for the move, which will leave agents with a turnover below £20 million with a single seat on a board reduced to nine.
The failure to reach the necessary 75% majority led to a poll vote, where the ballot is recounted on the basis of one vote per £10 in subscriptions. It was the first time ABTA has resorted to a poll vote since the early 1990s.
One source said: “ABTA would have had the larger organisations lined up to get things through. The danger is independent agents will feel let down.”
Board member Daniele Broccoli, of Britaly Travel, said: “I would have preferred the board to rethink. What is the hurry? Agents made ABTA and we appear the poor relations.”
Outgoing board member Alan Cornish, of Corona Holidays, who led the opposition, said: “God is on the side of the big battalions. But no one is going to pursue the matter if most members are content.”
However, Johnson Stevens Travel general manager Peter Cansick said: “Smaller agencies will no longer have a voice in ABTA. If I can not see the advantage of staying in [ABTA], I may look at leaving.”
Other board members expressed satisfaction. Sue Foxall, of Kinver Travel Centre, said: “It was the best way forward. We have had the old boys’ scenario for years and it has gone.”
An ABTA spokeswoman said: “If people were strongly against they would have voted against. The majority of ABTA members are smaller members and we listen to everyone.”
The turnout in the vote was 15%, not the 17% initially reported – with 234 of ABTA’s 1551 members voting. The 72% vote in favour means less than 11% of members said yes.