ABTA Today... October 2005
UNITED KINGDOM, October 21, 2005. Category four hurricane Wilma is due to hit Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, where there are currently approximately 8,500 British holidaymakers, in the next 24 hours. Forecasters are unclear as to exactly where Wilma will head next. ABTA tour operators are currently working to ensure the safety and comfort of their customers in destinations vulnerable to the storm.
In Mexico, Cuba and some areas in south west Florida including the Keys, holidaymakers are following local authorities' guidance on moving to shelters and safe areas. Customers who were travelling to Mexico today with FTO members have been offered alternative holiday destinations. Other programmes to Cuba and Florida are currently operating normally. Tour operators are monitoring the situation closely and will inform passengers of any alterations on a day to day basis. Normal booking conditions apply to all holidays.
COUNCIL OF REGIONS. John Stephens (Compass Classics Ltd) has been elected to fill the place vacated by George Norcliffe representing the South Western Region. A full list of Council representatives can be found at www.abtamembers.org/regions For information about the ABTA Regions please contact David Parish ([email protected]) on 020 7307 1917.
SALES OF TRAVEL INSURANCE. Members are reminded about Clause 1.7 (iv) of the ABTA Code of Conduct, which says that you will not be allowed to sell or offer travel insurance if you have not made reasonable efforts to pass the insurance exam. Members who do not want to sell or offer travel insurance should confirm this by letter to Mike Monk, Head of Financial Services, ABTA Ltd, 68-71 Newman Street, London W1T 3AH. If you have any queries, please contact the Members' Information line ([email protected]) on 0845 177 ABTA (2282).
US APIS. In spite of what Members might have heard to the contrary, 4 October 2005 remains the legislative date when carriers are required to provide electronically the passenger's country of residence and US address, in addition to passport details, to US Customs & Border Protection (CBP). Carriers have individually contacted the CBP with a phased implementation plan. ABTA's understanding of when and how carriers will be collecting data for passengers travelling to the US can be found at www.abtamembers.org/aviation/usapis.pdf.
VAT - BUSINESS TRAVEL AGENTS. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has just released an Information Sheet on the VAT treatment of fees charged by business travel agents - see www.abtamembers.org/taxation/businessta.pdf. HMRC has previously ruled that VAT is due on the full value of fees charged but now accepts that, in typical circumstances, much of the fee is not subject to VAT. This could benefit partly-exempt clients of business agents who are not able to recover VAT in full. Members organising travel for business clients should be aware of these changes and Members with clients in the finance, insurance, property, education and charitable sectors should review the Information Sheet and consider how their business is affected. It is also possible, in many circumstances, to reimburse VAT previously overcharged and to recover the amount in question from HMRC. ABTA has participated in the negotiations with HMRC and any Member wishing to discuss the above and its impact on their business is advised to call David Bennett (01293 761295) or Martyne Pearson (01293 761253) at Deloitte.
DOT TRAVEL DOMAIN NAMES. ABTA and the dot travel registry, Tralliance, have resumed the processing of authentication requests. These will be processed in monthly batches until 1 January 2006, when the dot travel scheme is fully launched. For further details including how to start the pre-authentication and registration process, log in to the ABTA Members' website at www.abtamembers.org and select the link for dot travel domain registrations. If you have any queries about dot travel domain names, please contact Tralliance ([email protected]) or go to www.tralliance.info.
ABTA SEMINAR - SAFEGUARDING YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH PREVENTION AND PROTECTION. To remind Members that this half-day event in association with Citation will offer attendees an excellent opportunity to evaluate their current level of provision in the areas of health & safety and employment law. Ideal for proprietors and managing directors, this seminar will take place at ABTA's offices on 3 November 2005. For more information, please visit www.abtamembers.org/seminars/clinic.htm or call Colin Yonge ([email protected]) on 020 7307 1979.
THE ABTA TRAVEL CONVENTION 24-27 NOVEMBER 2005, MARRAKECH. There are only 35 days left until the ABTA Travel Convention. For further information see www.theabtatravelconvention.com or call CO Plus on 01920 873 030.
For a list of forthcoming ABTA events, including regional meetings and seminars, go to www.abtamembers.org/diary.htm For a list of ABTA publications, consumer leaflets, and ABTA-branded .
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