FOLLOWING the Association of British Travel Agents’ (ABTA) application for judicial review of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) guidance notes, it has been ordered to be quashed and no longer applicable.

High Court judge, Justice Goldring, overruled the decision on 16 January and has provided guidance on the correct meaning of “package holiday” for the purpose of the ATOL Regulations 1995 Act.

It has been confirmed that a package holiday will only be created where a combination of transport, accommodation and/or other tourist services is sold at an "inclusive price” which are key to definition of a package holiday and should be given their ordinary and natural meaning. And is not the same as "total price".

Goldring says: "It is not in the public interest for travel agents effectively to be pressurised into obtaining ATOLs if the law manifestly does not require them to."

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer says: "This is very good news for our Travel Agents Members. We now have a clear interpretation of the law and agents can continue their business providing tailor-made arrangements as they always have done, without the added burden of further cost and regulation."

CROSS-CHANNEL operator Brittany Ferries has released its special group rate offer for coaches throughout 2006.

The offer enables operators to travel on all five routes and stays of up to 60 hours in France for £360 per coach and passengers.

Groups of 10+ can take advantage of Brittany’s on-board cuisine for meals, which are booked and paid for at least two weeks before travel.

Brittany Ferries group sales manager Graham Smith says: “It is possible to mix routes to suit the itinerary and a stay of up to 60 hours can be used in places like Paris, for which Caen is very convenient, being over 30 miles closer than Calais.”

The ferry operator has also confirmed the acquisition of a new passenger ship - its working title, Bretagne II. The new vessel will be used on the Plymouth – Roscoff route replacing Pont l’Abbé, currently on short-term charter from DFDS Seaways, in the autumn of 2008.

THE GREAT DAYS OUT FAIR 2006 is one of the largest one-day group travel exhibitions in the UK and will take place on Saturday 4 March at Bolton Football Club’s Reebok Stadium.

Dedicated group travel organisers will have a unique opportunity to meet and collect information from over 200 UK exhibitors, including attractions, destinations and venues able to cater for coach groups of all sizes.

The Fair also includes demonstrations, competitions and top prizes with a wide range of venues providing special offers.

The exhibition will commence at 10:00am with prize draws taking place every half-hour from 10:30am. Prizes on offer include a break at the Halgarth Manor Hotel near Durham, a family break in Yorkshire or Lincolnshire, a horse racing trip to York, a Welsh experience including bed and breakfast, and a Cheshire passport that includes a family ticket to 17 leading Cheshire attractions.

A Live Entertainment stage on the Mezzanine floor will also feature, with live cookery demonstrations by Le Mont’s Robert Kisby and cookery expert Deborah Robb.

Other culinary delights include the return of the highly successful North West Fine Foods area. Visitors will get the chance to win luxury hampers containing food and drink from many of the north west’s top producers and processors – many of whom have gained national recognition for the excellence of their products.

To pre-register your interest for the Great Days Out Fair and for the chance to win a short break in Manchester, staying at the Manchester Marriott Victoria and Albert Hotel, visit www.greatdaysout.com.

Visitors are strictly for group travel organisers with entrance limited to invited guests only. To register your interest with details of the group or organisation you represent, please email info@greatdaysout.com or call the Fair’s hotline on 01706 827946.

Bolton’s Reebok Stadium can be found at junction 6 of the M61. Visit www.greatdaysout.com/howtogethere. for further information.