Abtot expands membership offering with preferential rates 

Members of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust (Abtot) will gain preferential rates with top travel providers for the first time.

The disclosure came just hours after the organisation with more than 400 members outlined a partnership with Hotelbeds and Bedsonline owner HBX Group.  

New commercial services from key partners comes as travel organiser membership of Abtot has diversified and grown. 

Many newer members previously accessed consortium services through alternative financial protection providers and are looking for a similar service from Abtot. 

At the same time, Abtot continues to attract a number of start-up travel businesses looking for introductions to leading travel suppliers for preferential rates, according to the organisation.

The new service complements the existing support available through Abtot associates, who provide legal and financial guidance, as well as marketing, fintech and environmental expertise. 

Members are now offered preferred commercial rates across key areas, including:

• Hotels and accommodation from leading bedbanks. 
• Preferential air fares with major carriers through established distributors and consolidators
• Travel technology solutions – back-office systems, itinerary builders, payment gateways including inbuilt merchant acquirers.

Development director Julie Jones said: “By bringing together government-approved financial protection with access to preferential rates from leading travel suppliers and distributors, we’re giving members a more joined-up support framework that reflects how travel businesses operate in practice.”

HBX Group chief distribution officer David Amsellem said: “Abtot plays an important role in supporting specialist travel organisers across the UK, and this partnership allows us to put very practical tools, content and commercial support into the hands of its members.

“By combining our global accommodation portfolio with dedicated trade expertise, we aim to help members operate more efficiently and strengthen their commercial performance.”

Abtot operates a regulated financial protection bonded scheme for travel organisers who need to comply with UK travel regulations and is also an approved Civil Aviation Authority Atol franchisee.