PRESS RELEASE

Issued: July 19, 2000

Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
Among the First in New Internet Protection Scheme

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is among the first three organisations to sign up to a new e-commerce hallmark which is endorsed by the Government. TrustUK - a joint venture between the Consumers Association and the Alliance for Electronic Business (AEB) - will monitor codes of conduct to ensure that they provide adequate protection for online shoppers.

ABTA already has one of the most highly regarded Codes of Conduct in the UK, indeed it has been held up as a model of self-regulation by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI). The Association had already specifically updated its code to ensure that the same high standards would apply to the internet sites of all ABTA Members. Uniquely, ABTAs code did not require any further modifications before acceptance by TrustUK.

Riccardo Nardi, ABTAs Head of Legal Services, said: "We are pleased to see that the UK is leading the way in recognising that private sector regulation is often quicker and more effective than legislation. Historically, ABTA has championed the cause of self-regulation within the travel industry and we are delighted to be involved in such a challenging area."

ABTA will be working to get all its Members sites compliant by November 2000. Guidance will be offered to Members, on an ongoing basis, to ensure that they are clear on best practice in this relatively new area of trading.

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Notes to Editors

• The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) represents over 2,300 travel agents and tour operators. Its Members sell over 90 percent of the overseas holidays bought in the UK
  
• As a regulatory body, ABTA maintains a strict Code of Conduct governing relationships between companies and their clients. It covers such areas as brochures, price increases and the procedures for dealing with complaints
  
• ABTA travel agents and tour operators are required to provide financial protection to their customers
  
• ABTA celebrates its first 50 years during the summer of 2000
  
  

July 19, 2000

For further information contact: Jackie Gibson

Tel: 020 7307 1900 (Office hours)