Code of Conduct & Appeal Board decisions

The following cases were heard by the Code of Conduct Committee at its meeting held on 17 March 2006:

BCT Travel Group Ltd (ABTA member V2185 of Tabley Court, Victoria Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1EZ trading as Cresta Holidays, Bridge Travel Service and Tradewinds) was reprimanded for breaches of clauses 2.2(i) and 2.4(i) of the Code. These refer to an overbooking that the company had not taken reasonable care to avoid and which resulted in a significant change to the client's booking at a late stage. The member was also fined £1000 for breaches of clauses 2.2(iii) and 2.4(iii). This was because the member had not advised the client of the overbooking and offered the chance to cancel and receive a refund.

Gold Medal Travel Group Plc (ABTA member V6805 of Trident Centre, Ribble Docklands, Preston PR2 2QG)was fined £500 for a breach of Clause 1.1(iv) of the Code, which requires members to ensure that travel arrangements sold are what the client asked for. The client had requested a particular hotel in Dubai but the booking was made for a hotel with a similar name. The member was also fined £350 for a breach of clause 1.4(i) in relation to its booking procedures. The invoice named the hotel the client asked for which had not in fact been booked.

Martin Walker Travel Ltd (ABTA member C1915 of 49 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BA) was fined £6,000 for 15 breaches of the Code. The breaches centred on the fact that the member allowed a non-member to use his ABTA number and make bookings. This is prohibited by clause 4.1 of the Code. The non-member did not issue the correct documentation for the bookings and did not explain the financial protection to the clients. This was found to be breaches of clause 1.4(iv) and 1.5(i).

Holidaymakers (ABTA member C0950 of 63 Poulton Road, Fleetwood FY7 6TF) was fined a total of £2500 for 5 breaches of clause 4.4, which requires members to pay debts when due.

Continents Revealed Ltd (ABTA member W6915 of 11 Marlborough Place, Brighton, BN1 1UB and trading as Russia Revealed and China Revealed) was reprimanded for a breach of clause 1.1(iii) of the Code, which requires members to give clients accurate information so that they can make an informed choice of holiday.

The Committee dismissed 1 alleged breach.

1 member appealed the Committee's decision and is therefore not reported above, pending the decision of the Appeal Board.

	Code of Conduct & Appeal Board decisions

The following cases were heard by the Code of Conduct Committee at its meeting held on 17 March 2006: BCT Travel Group Ltd (ABTA member V2185 of Tabley Court, Victoria Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1EZ trading as Cresta Holidays, Bridge Travel Service and Tradewinds) was reprimanded for breaches of clauses 2.2(i) and 2.4(i) of the Code. These refer to an overbooking that the company had not taken reasonable care to avoid and which resulted in a significant change to the client's booking at a late stage. The member was also fined £1000 for breaches of clauses 2.2(iii) and 2.4(iii). This was because the member had not advised the client of the overbooking and offered the chance to cancel and receive a refund. Gold Medal Travel Group Plc (ABTA member V6805 of Trident Centre, Ribble Docklands, Preston PR2 2QG)was fined £500 for a breach of Clause 1.1(iv) of the Code, which requires members to ensure that travel arrangements sold are what the client asked for. The client had requested a particular hotel in Dubai but the booking was made for a hotel with a similar name. The member was also fined £350 for a breach of clause 1.4(i) in relation to its booking procedures. The invoice named the hotel the client asked for which had not in fact been booked. Martin Walker Travel Ltd (ABTA member C1915 of 49 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BA) was fined £6,000 for 15 breaches of the Code. The breaches centred on the fact that the member allowed a non-member to use his ABTA number and make bookings. This is prohibited by clause 4.1 of the Code. The non-member did not issue the correct documentation for the bookings and did not explain the financial protection to the clients. This was found to be breaches of clause 1.4(iv) and 1.5(i). Holidaymakers (ABTA member C0950 of 63 Poulton Road, Fleetwood FY7 6TF) was fined a total of £2500 for 5 breaches of clause 4.4, which requires members to pay debts when due. Continents Revealed Ltd (ABTA member W6915 of 11 Marlborough Place, Brighton, BN1 1UB and trading as Russia Revealed and China Revealed) was reprimanded for a breach of clause 1.1(iii) of the Code, which requires members to give clients accurate information so that they can make an informed choice of holiday. The Committee dismissed 1 alleged breach. 1 member appealed the Committee's decision and is therefore not reported above, pending the decision of the Appeal Board.