Travel company?

[Fleurytravel]

I am considering setting up a company, potentially a community interest company, it would offer supported holidays to those who are neurodivergent. There are some companies offering supported holidays for those that have learning disabilities, but not those who don’t. I’m autistic and been looking for something similar in the past but couldn’t find anything.

Anyway, how do I know if I need to be abta or atol or trusted travel association or similar protected? Not many of them seem to be. A couple of them are.

Basically I would be booking the holiday and an extra fee to cover the support maybe one worker for every 4 people or something. Not really thought that far ahead yet.

I always thought I would need to be Abta or atol or similar protected but very few of these companies actually seem to have this?

Can anyone advise.

Obviously I want to do this the right way.

Thanks.

 

[japancool]

ABTA registration isn't mandatory.

Will your holidays involve flights?

 

[Fleurytravel]

ABTA registration isn't mandatory.

Will your holidays involve flights?

Yes it will

 

[japancool]

Yes it will

I believe ATOL registration would be mandatory in that case. The gov website suggests so:

Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) - GOV.UK

Consumer protection scheme for flights and what type of licence you need - standard, small business, ATOL to ATOL, franchised ATOL

www.gov.uk

 

[Fleurytravel]

I believe ATOL registration would be mandatory in that case. The gov website suggests so:

Thank you

 

[fisicx]

@Fleurytravel - I’ve just Googled for holiday providers for neurodivergent and learning difficulties and there are loads of them. Maybe look at how they do things to help develop your business plan.

 

[Frank the Insurance guy]

You also need to consider that you will be subject to the Package Travel Regulations:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1093536/package-travel-regulations-2018-guidance.pdf

Package holidays: complying with regulations - guidance for businesses

Guidance for businesses to help them comply with the The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

www.gov.uk

In short, you will be responsible (and legally liable) for the services provided by others - hotel/accomodation/transport etc etc. If a customer is injured (or falls ill) by any of your suppliers/providers they can take legal action against you directly! You therefore need to be careful and carry out due diligence on your suppliers!

Insurance is available to cover this liability, but Insurers would need reassurance that you have good quality control procedures in place for your providers/suppliers.

 

[Fleurytravel]

@Fleurytravel - I’ve just Googled for holiday providers for neurodivergent and learning difficulties and there are loads of them. Maybe look at how they do things to help develop your business plan.

Thanks, I am aware there’s other but the majority cater for those with learning disabilities rather than those without learning disabilities but still neurodivergent. If that makes sense. I’ve looked at how others do things but I’m still a bit confused as very few seem to be atol or abta protected. Which was what I was curious about,

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Regardless of whether you need to register, you should register - it gives clients more comfort and confidence! It is also a selling point over some of your competitors.

 

[Fleurytravel]

You also need to consider that you will be subject to the Package Travel Regulations:


In short, you will be responsible (and legally liable) for the services provided by others - hotel/accomodation/transport etc etc. If a customer is injured (or falls ill) by any of your suppliers/providers they can take legal action against you directly! You therefore need to be careful and carry out due diligence on your suppliers!

Insurance is available to cover this liability, but Insurers would need reassurance that you have good quality control procedures in place for your providers/suppliers.

Thank you.

 

[Fleurytravel]

Regardless of whether you need to register, you should register - it gives clients more comfort and confidence! It is also a selling point over some of your competitors.

Yes true indeed.

 

[Volopa]

Hey Fleury, It is a great idea, I've not seen many travel companies that offer this kind of support.
There is a lot to take into consideration. Which really depends on what type of holiday provider you are going to be. Bondings are respective of what type of provider you are going to be. If you want to be an agent and buy ABTA packages from other agencies you need to be atleast ABTA bonded. Which may not provide the necessary support you need for your clients. If you want to package multiple services I.e Flights, hotels, excursions and other services. You are going to need an ATOL license (I've not seen the latest package regs, so suggest reading them)

ATOL licenses are not cheap and you really need a solid business plan as part of the ATOL application process. This is due to the number travel failures ( not trying to put you off). There are many other things to consider including sourcing suppliers and much more.

I would suggest though starting off small. If you If you need advice on bonding I can put you touch with a company to help.

 

[Fleurytravel]

Hey Fleury, It is a great idea, I've not seen many travel companies that offer this kind of support.
There is a lot to take into consideration. Which really depends on what type of holiday provider you are going to be. Bondings are respective of what type of provider you are going to be. If you want to be an agent and buy ABTA packages from other agencies you need to be atleast ABTA bonded. Which may not provide the necessary support you need for your clients. If you want to package multiple services I.e Flights, hotels, excursions and other services. You are going to need an ATOL license (I've not seen the latest package regs, so suggest reading them)

ATOL licenses are not cheap and you really need a solid business plan as part of the ATOL application process. This is due to the number travel failures ( not trying to put you off). There are many other things to consider including sourcing suppliers and much more.

I would suggest though starting off small. If you If you need advice on bonding I can put you touch with a company to help.

Thank you

 

[Fleurytravel]

Right, since I last posted my idea has evolved somewhat.

So, I have established with my social enterprise adviser the best option would be a charity.

So I just have a question regarding that?

I will need atol, but what atol would it be for a charity? I looked at the small business atol application guidance but wasn’t totally sure how that would fit in with a charity. Could anyone advise?

Thank you

 

[fisicx]

Give the charity commission a call. You will need to register with them anyway so you might as well ask the experts. Do the same with atol. Pick up the phone and ask.

 

[Mark T Jones]

So, I have established with my social enterprise adviser the best option would be a charity.

I'd start by questioning the whys and wherefores of that advice. There is a lot involved in setting up and running a charity at this point you haven't got to grips with the fundamentals of your business, why add a whole load more admin and bureaucracy?

 

[japancool]

So, I have established with my social enterprise adviser the best option would be a charity.

Would you be an employee or a trustee?

 

[Volopa]

Right, since I last posted my idea has evolved somewhat.

So, I have established with my social enterprise adviser the best option would be a charity.

So I just have a question regarding that?

I will need atol, but what atol would it be for a charity? I looked at the small business atol application guidance but wasn’t totally sure how that would fit in with a charity. Could anyone advise?

Thank you

Hey Fleury,

You will still need a small business ATOL license as you are packaging.

Think you need to think about what Mark has said. Think you need to decide, do you want to make money as a business or do you want to go through the highly regulated charity arena.