ABTA Ltd, operating as ABTA – The Travel Association and formerly known as the Association of British Travel Agents, is a trade association for tour operators and travel agents in the United Kingdom. History The organization was founded in 1950, as the Association of British Travel Agents, by 22 leading travel companies. ABTA adopted its current name on 1 July 2007 reflect its wider representation of the travel industry. On 1 July 2008 it merged with the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO). Function ABTA has existed for over 70 years and is the UK's largest travel association, representing travel agents and tour operators that sell around £32 billion of holidays and other travel arrangements each year. The main functions of ABTA are: Raising standards in the industry and by giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety, Providing schemes of financial protection, Offering holidaymakers a course of redress if something goes wrong, Code of conduct ABTA maintains a code of conduct which governs the relationship between members and their customers, between members and ABTA, and between members and other members. The code is essentially a guide to good practice, although some of what it contains is also required under UK and European law. Those booking travel arrangements with an ABTA member can expect to receive: Accurate information so holidaymakers can make informed choices Advice or assistance on passport, visa and health requirements An offer of a suitable alternative if there are building works that will seriously impair a holiday A refund of the holiday cost if there's a significant flight delay and the holidaymaker decides not to travel A response to any complaint raised within 28 days Resolution of complaints as quickly as possible and, if it can't be resolved amicably, the guaranteed option of arbitration to find a settlement. All ABTA members have to abide by the code and those that breach it can face sanctions at ABTA's Code of Conduct Committee. Consumer protection ABTA The ATOL scheme of financial protection (see below) covers flight-based holidays. If a holidaymaker buys a land- or sea-based holiday such as coach, rail or cruise holiday from an ABTA member their monies will be protected by the ABTA scheme of financial protection. This means that if the travel company fails and the holiday can no longer go ahead the holidaymaker will be entitled to a refund if they are yet to