ABTA does not anticipate any companies leaving the association following today’s vote on bed bank liability.
This is despite several bed banks voicing concern over the proposal – passed by a vote of 82% in favour – and threatening to rethink their membership.
Speaking after the special general meeting, ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “No one has told me they will leave, although a number have said they will reconsider how they organise their business.
“We believe what we are asking companies to do is what they are already doing, even if they are not members of ABTA. It’s important for us to uphold this as a matter of principle. I don’t see why people would see a reason to leave.”
Some bed banks will have to reconsider how they sell their products through agencies, he said. The resolution means that bed banks that use agencies to distribute their products will assume liability if the agency goes under, even if they have not been paid the consumer’s money.
He said he expected the issue to be further discussed at next week’s Travel Convention in Barcelona.