ABTOT Membership benefits

ABTOT Membership provides travel organisers with trusted, government-approved financial protection and expert support to ensure compliance with the Package Travel Regulations. With over 30 years of experience, we help established companies, niche operators, and start-ups protect their customers’ money and strengthen their business.

• Government-approved body: instantly recognised consumer protection

• ATOL Franchise operator: easier, cheaper ATOL licensing

• BCH operator: specialist protection for coach operators

 

Trust & Expertise

The ABTOT team provides expertise, experience, and confidence to Travel Organisers and helps them navigate the UK Travel Regulations. Our key strengths are:

• Guidance for first timers
• We decode jargon
• Hold your hand through the process.

Protection solutions

We have been operating for over 30 years and offer an insolvency protection solution for all types of Travel Operators to comply with the UK Regulations:

UK Regulator	Insurance Products or Scheme we provide	User benefit
Govt Dept for Business and Trade overseas UK Package Travel Regulations	Travel Bond backed by Insurance	An insurance backed bond tends to be unsecured and you are charged an annual premium based on the financial strength of your company, as illustrated in your latest Year End Accounts and Management Accounts. Pay all fees upfront and have simpler admin
Govt Dept for Business and Trade overseas UK Package Travel Regulations	BCH is a consumer protection scheme exclusive to the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Members and it has been managed by ABTOT since 2021	Dedicated Coach industry scheme to comply with the regulations. Travel Bonds are required but can be a bank bond or insurance backed bond.
CAA administer the ATOL scheme	ABTOT is an approved CAA ATOL Franchisee	Providing a  simpler, unsecured and cost-effective way to obtain and manage your ATOL Financial protection under our scheme. Our insurance backed bonds provide security for the ATOL Bond

 

Membership is suitable for:

• Established travel companies
• Specialist or niche tour operators
• Start-ups and first-time organisers
• Coach operators
• Non-flight and flight-inclusive businesses (via ATOL Franchise)

 

Financial Protection Benefits

• Insurance-backed bonds
• Hybrid solution – Trust and Travel insurance backed  bond.
• Financial Failure Insurance
• Appointed ATOL Franchisee
• BCH scheme

 

Business Support Benefits

• Access to underwriters
• Legal helpline
• Webinars
• Annual Forum

 

Professional Partner Benefits

• Access to ABTOT Associates
  •  Free initial advice from accountants/lawyers/marketing experts

 

Legal Helpline

• What’s covered Any legal matter facing a Member, including regulatory issues, litigation and dispute resolution, commercial and contract matters, employment law and intellectual property.
• What’s free Members are entitled to one initial consultation of up to 15 minutes per issue, or equivalent guidance by email. This service is intended to provide high‑level, preliminary advice only, not ongoing legal support.
• Limits If a query cannot be resolved within the initial advice period, Members will be clearly advised on the options available for further support on a paid basis. Where a query falls outside the helpline’s professional scope, Members will be advised accordingly.
• How to access Either by calling 01132 580033 or e-mailing advice@travlaw.co.uk 

 

Membership eligibility criteria

• A small to medium-sized travel organiser
• A Principal organiser
• Able to demonstrate a minimum of £10,000 paid-up share capital
• First year 12-month projections are over £45k
• Able to meet ABTOT’s initial financial assessment criteria

 

Membership fees overview

The Membership fees and annual premium for bonding is confirmed by the underwriter when they complete a risk  review of the application. To complete their risk review, each applicant has to provide the following information:

• Ownership shareholding structure
• Directors and team running the company
• Travel Genre of the application – are they trading in a competitive market?
• Latest Financials

An applicant’s product, senior team and latest financials contribute to the annual fees. A strong business plan and balance sheet will receive more favourable terms than an applicant who is trading in a crowded market with weak finances.

 All fees are paid upfront for applicants with a Travel Bond.

 

The joining process (step-by-step)

1. Initial call
2. Confirm product (ABTOT, BCH or ATOL Franchise)
3. Forward supported financial information
4. Financial assessment
5. Application
6. Approval & onboarding

 

Why ABTOT?

• 30+ years’ experience
• Government approved
• Supportive, not bureaucratic
• Unsecured solutions
• Trusted by 400+ Members

 

Ready to protect your customers and simplify compliance?

Our team will guide you through every step – from assessing your business model to organising your bonding.

Call 0207 065 5313 or email enquiry@abtot.com