This already happen’s for example the FTO moving into ABTA’s head office sharing staff etc. Other Groups meet up and talk things though. ABTA used to (I am just out of touch) act as the organiser and have differant groups like, Air, Shipping and Car Hire. You will no doubt chat about this when you go down.

However as in personal experance the groups can be at logger-heads to often. Example agents v. airlines, or non-bonded v bonded. There is very little that they all agree on.

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We would love to talk to you about the issues you have as a consumer (or the types of issues your readers have highlighted).

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I forgot to add a consumer group in my eyes is more about people getting together to discuss ossues, a few times of the year, with as many of the bodies/companies/industry/consumers as you can get in one room as possible. Surely the associations are then better armed with information of issues/experiences from a wide group to help them to lobby the government.

OR is the industry too split for anything like this to work?

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Thanks for the comment.

There seems to be a a lot of associations already in travel (some I am probably not aware of too) and I have asked myself on numerous occassions if we really need them all, what benefit do they really add.

So, ditch the idea of a consumer group (I did say I wasn’t sure if it would work and that’s why I asked for industry opinion) so, what are these associations doing to work with consumers, other than a website – how are they gathering consumer opinion?

I have emailed Frances so hopefully I’ll be able to meet up with ABTA and learn more about what they are doing to assist consumers. I write this blog with very little knowledge of how the associations work, thus the reason for the debate.

I am also writing a post about my thoughts on the Travel/tourism minister campaign from Travel Weekly, which is interesting. Would welcome comments on that post when its published.

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Thank you for your answer. It was what I was waiting for and hoping for before I type my comment. What you missed Jeremy added. I am sorry I could not get back quicker because ABTA weighed in with most of my answer. However I will add personal feelings to this.

The only way to achieve what you mentioned is to bring everyone together CAA, ABTA, FTO, AUC, TTA, GOBAL, AUC, AAC, IATA, PSA, etc. About 20 bodies in all and then you are speaking with one voice. The main problem you face is most of these groups do not see eye to eye. There are groups being set up (like Jeremy mentioned) mainly because they do not like what ABTA or another body is promoting at that time.

Do we need another group? To set one up will cost a lot of money and who will pay. Most company’s already are members of groups that either protect there interests or promoted standards for customer benefit. So can you see them paying for yet another group?

The only really way is for the Government to get all these groups together, but as I said before the Government gives very little attention to travel. However if there was a department with a Minster who had that as there responsibility this would all change. Which is why the trade press are pushing for a Minister of Travel and Tourism like most countries already have. My personal view is this is what in needed.

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