ABTA is celebrating 75 years since its launch in 1950, when it was founded to set clear standards for businesses in the then-emerging world of international travel.
Starting with just 87 members, ABTA now represents around 4,300 travel brands, making it the largest travel trade association in the UK.
Holidays have evolved dramatically since those early days, when most people opted for domestic breaks to British seaside resorts. In the 1950s and 60s, the Balearic Islands, Italian Riviera, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany were among the most-booked destinations as package holidays first gained popularity.
Today, Europe remains the top choice for UK travellers. According to ABTA’s latest Holiday Habits Report, 83% of UK holidaymakers choose European destinations for their overseas trips.
ABTA’s Code of Conduct continues to set out a clear framework for all members to act responsibly, trade fairly, and “do the right thing” by customers, reinforcing trust in the travel sector.
ABTA has also played a vital role in helping the industry navigate crises. It assisted during the industry’s first significant failure in July 1964 when Fiesta Tours, a non-ABTA member, collapsed and stranded 2,000 holidaymakers. In response, ABTA created the first fund to repatriate customers if a travel business failed, laying the foundations for today’s financial protection standards.
More recently, ABTA handled over 1,400 customer claims after the original Thomas Cook collapsed in 2019, and provided crucial advice and support to holidaymakers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, 88% of people say they would prefer to book their holiday with an ABTA member.
ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer said:
“ABTA was born out of a desire to make travel better; to give people confidence that when they book a holiday with an ABTA member, they know that company is committed to delivering high standards and an exceptional service.”
Althams Travel Managing Director Sandra McAllister added:
“We are extremely proud to be one of the founding members of ABTA. The use of the ABTA logo is essential to us as it instantly signifies trust to our customers. ABTA is recognised as the ultimate association offering security, protection and a vital safety net, which is priceless.”
What Does ABTA Do?
ABTA (the Association of British Travel Agents) exists to support, represent and regulate UK travel companies, helping holidaymakers buy and enjoy their holidays with confidence.
When you see the ABTA logo, it means the travel company has committed to meeting ABTA’s high standards of service and fairness. The organisation provides:
- Financial Protection: ABTA ensures your package holiday is financially protected. If your travel company goes out of business, you’ll get a refund or be repatriated if already abroad.
- Code of Conduct: Members must follow ABTA’s Code, which sets out how they should deal with customers fairly and responsibly.
- Help & Advice: ABTA offers impartial guidance to holidaymakers on their rights and what to do if things go wrong.
- Industry Support: ABTA works with government and industry partners to improve travel standards, sustainability, and customer safety.
For many holidaymakers, booking with an ABTA member offers essential peace of mind, knowing their booking is protected and they have access to help if anything doesn’t go to plan.
