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| ABTA withdraws from Office of Fair Trading Consumer Codes Approval Scheme
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THE OFFICE of Fair Trading has expressed its disappointment towards ABTA following the Association’s withdrawal from the OFT Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS), which took immediate effect on 1 September.
The move follows ABTA’s decision to change its financial package arrangements, reducing the level of protection for customers. ABTA’s new code of conduct still covers business failures, however, it is not OFT approved and does not protect consumers’ deposits and pre-payments if a travel agent failed to make a booking, as in the previous OFT approved ABTA code.
OFT director of market transformation Colin Brown says: “We are disappointed that ABTA has taken the decision to change its code and withdraw from the scheme. The new ABTA code differs from the previous one in a number of ways, including significant changes to its financial protection scheme. Our door remains open for future discussions with ABTA."
An ABTA spokesman says: "We are confident that the changes to our financial protection scheme will not significantly affect our customers."
The OFT now approves just 11 industry codes.
www.oft.gov.uk
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| Visit London survey reveals 92 per cent of London's visitor industry opposes 'bed tax' |
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A TOTAL of 92 per cent of London’s visitor industry would be against the introduction of a local tourist accommodation tax, a Visit London survey has revealed.
The so called ‘bed tax’, as proposed in Sir Michael Lyons’ inquiry into local government earlier this year, would have a potential impact on tourists, which could add 5 to 10 per cent to a visitor’s accommodation bill.
Although the vast majority were completely opposed to the tax, it also revealed that 65 per cent of London companies claimed the move would cause a ‘major down-turn’ in the level of their business – of more than 5 per cent of turnover - while 30 per cent thought the proposed tax would lead to a decrease of between 1 to 5 per cent.
www.visitlondon.com
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| Distinctive Systems launches new online tour booking system for coach operators |
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PASSENGER transport software specialist Distinctive Systems has launched its online Tour Booking System (TBS) for coach operators.
TBS is a complete management system for individual passenger bookings on extended tours, day excursions and express services. In addition to handling online bookings made in person, the system allows operators to host their tour itineraries on the internet with a fully automated website capable of handling bookings from both agents and direct clients.
The website consists of a customisable front page which displays welcome information together with navigation links. Clients can browse through an operator’s tours programme, check prices and availability before either telephoning or requesting a call back. The online booking facility also hosts a secure login for agents allowing them to enter bookings directly into the TBS.
The system is fully integrated with the Coach Manager private hire and contract-booking system, which is in turn fully integrated with the VOSA approved Vehicle Maintenance System.
www.distinctive-systems.com
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| TfL unveils new online interactive coach map |
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A NEW live and interactive coach map has been developed by Transport for London, designed to help coach drivers and operators to travel around the capital with ease.
The online map, which can be viewed at www.tfl.gov.uk/vcs/maps, aims to provide drivers with detailed up-to-the-minute information on locations, costs and opening hours of coach parks and bays, alongside toiler facilities for drivers, popular tourist attracts, and places of interest including West End Theatres.
As well as alerting drivers to current road works or events in London, the interactive map includes information on future events, such as concerts and road closures. Operators can also view certain roads or junctions to see current traffic conditions online via Capital Cams.
The online map is based on the Google Maps API tool, however, and is produced as a result of a commitment made in TfL’s Coach Concordat to improve information available to coach operators.
Despite the introduction of the online map, TfL says the printed version of the London Coach Parking Map will remain in circulation.
www.tfl.gov.uk
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News
ABTA withdraws from Office of Fair Trading scheme.
92 per cent of London's visitor industry opposes 'bed tax'.
New online booking system from Distinctive Systems.
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