Travel Counsellors chairman David Speakman has accused ABTA of failing to clarify to its agent members where consumer protection exists.
He criticised the trade association of not having “done its job”, claiming many agents were incorrectly stating they offered financial protection.
In a letter in Travel Weekly this week he said: “ABTA has a clear duty of care to protect its agents and bring clarity to the forefront of the agenda.
“Time and again, ABTA agents incorrectly offer financial protection that no longer exists.
“The retail members should be in revolt over being left so ill-informed.”
He added the decision by bed banks hotels4u.com and Med Hotels to leave ABTA had reduced the impact of ABTA’s resolution to force bed banks to take liability for bookings.
An ABTA spokesman said: “We know this is a complicated area that needs reform. We have been monitoring websites to check what agents are saying about financial protection.”
ABTA also said it provides a business support manual for tour operators which provides them with a range of information on financial protection. For travel agents there is a booking checklist which also lays out information that needs to be passed on to customers including financial protection, the association said.