A controversial government initiative aimed at preventing paedophiles from working with children is unlikely to affect operators with overseas programmes, ABTA believes.
An association spokesman said operators should be exempted from paying to have each member of staff working with children cleared by the Independent Safeguarding Authority in conjunction with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), at a cost of £64 per person.
Having examined the ruling, ABTA lawyers do not believe it will affect employees working overseas, although the association admitted it is monitoring the scheme as it may be changed before its introduction in the new year.
The spokesman said: “It is unclear what form these requirements will take. So we will wait and see.” He added that ABTA has long had its own guidelines for checking staff who work with children.
Bourne Leisure will also be keeping a close eye on the legislation as it will need to comply at its Haven and Butlins holiday parks. Head of human resources Sue Davies said: “We’re looking closely into how this legislation will impact our resort-based team members who directly supervise children.
“We exceed the existing requirements for CRB checks with relevant team members. However, we will always adhere to any initiative that reinforces our basic requirement of providing guests with a safe and secure holiday environment.”