Flight Centre confirms plan to join ATAS

Flight Centre confirms plan to join ATAS
By admin


Flight Centre has confirmed that it will join the industry’s voluntary travel accreditation scheme (ATAS) when it launches in July and backed AFTA’s view that insolvency insurance should not be compulsory.

Managing director Graham Turner said forcing ATAS members to take out insurance would only replicate the “uneven playing field” that existed under the Travel Compensation Fund (TCF).

Flight Centre already takes “proactive steps” to protect customers in the event of supplier collapse, he said.

“Other agencies and chains can take similar steps to protect their customers,” Turner said. “If they truly see value and a point of difference in insolvency insurance they can also elect to take out policies at an individual or group level.

“We do not subscribe to the view that individual agencies should be forced down that path.”

Calls to make insurance compulsory have been led by TravelManagers chairman Barry Mayo who has warned that consumers could be left financially stranded in the post TCF world. That could expose the industry to negative headlines as people vent their frustrations and anger through the media, he said.

Turner said AFTA’s scheme will remove the “unfair and administrative burden” that Australian agents have faced for years under the TCF.

While local retailers paid substantial fees each year, airlines and overseas operators were exempt.

“This created an unlevel playing field,” Turner said. “TCF members were also forced to deal with significant administrative red tape and restrictions that, in FLT’s case, prevented the company from controlling its own balance sheet.

“This new system, which has been developed by the industry for the industry, addresses these issues and provides comfort to member agencies’ customers as ATAS will use quality assessment to assess participants.

“Key areas that will be assessed will include business disciplines, solvency, training and compliance.

“We look forward to signing on.”

AFTA chief executive Jayson Westbury welcomed Flight Centre's pledge to join the scheme.

"ATAS provides a level and consistent playing field for the Australian travel industry while limiting red-tape and ensuring customers are protected by high standards of business and professional conduct," he said.

The general manager of ATAS, Gary O'Riordan, added that Flight Centre's decision "demonstrates a clear level of industry confidence" in the scheme.

"We look forward to welcoming other travel groups, agencies and intermediaries to ATAS." he said.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]