Wellings tackles bonding

NEW ABTA interim president Martin Wellings said flaws in bonding could be ironed out within months.

He hopes target dates for his plans – which include a new insurance scheme issued by agents at the time of booking – will be agreed at ABTA’s board meeting in November.

Wellings proposes at the time of booking with an agent, every consumer will be issued with a document outlining exactly what is and what isn’t covered by bonding schemes.

Anything that falls outside the protection could be covered by a £2.50 insurance premium, issued by members.

He said he was confident members would act with urgency, following the negative press around the revelation that former president John Harding’s collapsed Travelscene had an unbonded element in Citybedz.com.

“We can’t afford not to take action quickly,” said Wellings.

Plans will be formally announced at the ABTA Convention at the end of next month.