What is ABTA? Travel Protection Explained for UK Holidaymakers

ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK. It represents agents and tour operators as well as the wider travel industry. It aims to raise and maintain standards across the industry, so holidaymakers can enjoy peace of mind if something goes wrong on holiday.

This article will explore what ABTA protected means, why it’s important and whether you need ABTA protection as a UK holidaymaker.

ABTA stands for The Travel Association, but it was formerly called the Association of British Travel Agents. It was founded to enforce travel standards and provide holidaymakers with protection if a travel company becomes insolvent and ceases trading – more commonly known as ‘going bust’.

It was initially created in 1950, with just nine members. But one of ABTA’s most notable early moments came in 1964, when it helped to bring home (repatriate) 2,000 tourists left stranded by a travel company failing – one of the first events of its kind. More recently, it played a key role in helping holidaymakers deal with the travel chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and, in 2025, ABTA celebrated its 75th anniversary.  

ABTA, which now represents around 4,300 travel brands, helps its members run successful travel businesses and provides travellers with advice, guidance and support. All members agree to a code of conduct and commit to meeting certain standards, so holidaymakers can have peace of mind when booking with an ABTA travel agent.

What is ABTA protection? 

ABTA protection can help to ensure that the money you’ve paid on a package holiday – whether you’re trekking in Turkey or snorkelling in Spain – is covered in the event the tour operator goes bust. Most big tour operators, high street and online, are ABTA members.

ABTA protection if your holiday is in the future 

If you are yet to travel and the ABTA travel agents that organised your package holiday goes bust, ABTA protection may arrange or help you to arrange a refund. 

ABTA protection if you’re already on holiday 

If you are already on holiday when something goes wrong, ABTA protection may cover the cost of getting you home (if your holiday included return transport). It may also arrange, or help you to arrange, a refund for the part of the trip you were unable to experience.

No, only holidays booked with travel agents that are ABTA members are protected. This protection also only extends to package holidays including travel by rail, road or sea. This could include holidays by cruises, coach or train. 

Holiday packages with flights are not covered by ABTA, they are covered by ATOL instead. Before booking your adventure, you should check the travel company is ABTA and ATOL protected – whichever is relevant for your trip.

What is the difference between ABTA and ATOL? 

ATOL protection is similar to ABTA. But the main difference is in the type of holiday package. For example, where ABTA is designed for package holidays for customers travelling by sea, land or rail, ATOL is for package holidays with flights. 

ATOL stands for Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing. Travel companies can sell both ABTA and ATOL Protected holidays. Learn more about the ATOL scheme.

Are flights covered by ABTA protection? 

No, ABTA doesn’t offer protection for flights, whether bought separately or as part of a package holiday. Instead, if you have booked standalone flights departing from the UK, your airline is typically responsible for providing replacement flights or refunds in the event of cancellations. 

If you have booked flights as part of a package holiday or a ‘flight-plus’ package, you may be covered by the ATOL scheme if your travel company goes bust and your trip is cancelled. If your flights are simply cancelled and your travel provider hasn’t failed, you would speak to the airline or the tour operator rather than ATOL.

ABTA offers further protections for holidaymakers under its Code of Conduct. The code aims to ensure that ABTA members uphold the highest standards so holidaymakers can travel with confidence. 

Under the code ABTA members are prevented from cancelling a booking after the balance due date unless in ‘unavoidable’ or ‘extraordinary’ circumstances. In such cases the code instructs the travel company to offer ‘alternative travel arrangements’, or a full refund. 

The code also regulates areas like advertising, bookings adjustments and customer disputes. For example, if there’s a significant change to your travel arrangements, the company must offer you the choice of accepting the change or getting a refund.

You can use the ABTA website to check whether your tour operator is an ABTA member. Just use the ABTA checker search function on the ABTA member search page. 
Search by:

• Company name
• Postcode
• Town 
• ABTA number

No, ABTA protection is not the same as travel insurance. Travellers are still advised to arrange their own insurance, regardless of whether their tour operator is an ABTA member.

Both ABTA and ATOL are separate to travel insurance. If your holiday goes wrong for any other reason than what’s covered by these protections, your personal travel insurance would step in.   Things that would be covered by a standard travel insurance policy include if:

• your baggage was lost or stolen
• you were injured in an accident
• you had to cut short or cancel your trip
• you lost any personal money while away.