GOSTAG.com & ABTA

See GoStag's ABTA membership on the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) website.

ABTA is known as “The Travel Association”, essentially it is the singlemost powerful, internationally respected and consumer focused authority and guide for respected travel agents (over 5000) and tour operators (over 900) in the UK. GoStag (as part of StagWeb Limited, ABTA number W7797) is a member of ABTA and has been for over five years.

That means we have been providing the highest levels of professional performance and financial protection longer than any specialist in this market by some distance. With that kind of commitment and forward thinking you know you’re in the right place with the right team.

Technically speaking ABTA members have to provide a clear, detailed financial assurance that protects their clients in the case of the agency’s financial failure. The bottom line is if you book your (and the group’s) money is safe.

Furthermore as well as demonstrating exemplary practice in all areas ABTA members must submit precise and competent financial reporting, (quarterly and annually), alongside approved annual accounts. And significant share capital invested in the business.

You will have seen many companies go under, worryingly many travel and event organisations remain unbonded, you rarely see an ABTA bonded company go under but if it does its insurance should kick in quickly and with ABTA’s highly skilled assistance provide a quick and efficient resolution to you recovering any monies spent with that agency. In other words it is about the safest route to protecting your travel plans that you can take.

If you’re going to make travel plans, whatever you book, wherever you’re going, make certain you book with an ABTA bonded company. If you’re booking stag weekends then book with GoStag.com.

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ABTA’s anagram stands for the “Association of British Travel Agents”, in 2008 it joined forces with the FTO (Federation of Tour Operators) to become the complete body for travel in the UK.

The bottom line for you is that ABTA membership demands the highest standards of operation and financial assurance from its members.

http://www.abta.com

ATOL

ATOL is also very important for UK consumer flight protection, it is different from ABTA.

The difference is that ATOL bonding covers flight inclusive packages, ie if you book a flight inclusive package (ie flights plus at least one other significant component eg hotel, transfers, excursions, activities, entertainment etc), then you should be covered against any agency financial failure.

It only covers you for flight inclusive packages, it does not cover you for anything that does not form part of that flight inclusive package transaction. And it does not cover you if you book your own flights direct.