We don’t believe it

ABTA is considering setting up a whingers' database designed to help tour operators weed out serial complainers.

The industry-wide hit-list – which would record all complaints made against holiday companies – copies a system used by the UK's supermarket chains in an attempt to catch repeat moaners.

Tour operators have been faced with a rising tide of complaints as high-profile consumer television programmes such as the controversial Package Holiday 2001 increase in popularity.

ABTA head of consumer affairs Keith Richards said the industry was “crying out” for a carefully managed database listing basic facts about complainers.