THE CIVIL Aviation Authority (CAA) is seeking to appeal against last month’s High Court ruling, which allows agents to sell dynamically packaged or tailor made holidays without an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL).

The move is set to frustrate the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), which was poised to launch an awareness campaign later in the year to inform the public of its new changes.

Following the High Court decision, ABTA scrapped its bonding rules for members. Among the major changes is a relaxation of ABTA’s stringent bonding requirements, and although bonding will remain – and remain as the preferred method of financial protection – companies can make other financial arrangements through a trust fund with another body or through an insurance policy.

Now appeal proceedings are underway, the matter is again subject to confusion and uncertainty.

"We can’t give any official guidance because the decision is being appealed," an ABTA spokeswoman said. "In the meantime, any agent who needs advice should call our legal department."

No dates have yet to be set for the appeal, and if granted, a full hearing will be heard.

EDEN district council has been awarded with this year's Coach Friendly Local Authority award, which was presented by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).

The award was presented at the British Travel Trade Fair by Brigid Simmonds, chair of the cross industry stakeholder group, Tourism Alliance.

The accolade recognises the contribution a destination makes to welcome coach-borne tourists. The area of Eden, although strictly not one town, includes the destinations of Penrith, Kirkby, Stephen, and Appleby, which all made a collective effort to encourage coach tourism.

Eden district council chairman, councillor Malcolm Smith is delighted with the award and says: Town councils, local partnerships and visitor attractions within the area have gone that extra mile to offer an attractive service to coach operators and their customers, highlighting the ingenuity of Eden's tourism industry in being able to cater successfully for different market sectors.”

THE LONDON Coach Parking Map 2006 is now available for coach operators, which was launched at the British Travel Trade Fair on 1 March at the NEC in Birmingham.

The new map was produced jointly by the Confederation of Passenger Transport and Transport for London.

The itinerary consists of detailed information on coach parking bays, parking costs, parking restrictions, and useful contact details along with information on best practice.

TfL coach manager Darek Podwiazka says: “We are delighted to be involved with the production of this map. It is a vital tool in any driver’s ‘glove box’, particularly for those who find coach parking in London a bit of a challenge or are unfamiliar with facilities on offer.

“We hope drivers find it helpful in its current format and we’ll continue to further develop it and ensure it gives a concise and accurate illustration of what is out there.”