All the latest news from ABTA including new Bulgarian passport requirements, election of Board Directors and the RNIB Hotel Guide...

CHANGES TO ABTA'S FINANCIAL CRITERIA. Further to ABTA Today issued on 30 January, Members should note that ABTA's Board of Directors has made several changes to ABTA's membership and financial criteria. These changes are designed primarily to reduce costs for existing Members and to safeguard the Association's future. They will be implemented in summer and autumn 2006. To help Members understand the reasons for the changes and the effect of them we have given answers to the most likely questions. These are available in the Members' area of our website at www.abtamembers.org/membershipcriteria/changes.htm. For any other queries please email membersinfo@abta.co.uk.

ELECTIONS - BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Ballot papers for the two vacancies on the Board have been posted to those Members entitled to vote, i.e. Members in the same turnover band, as follows: 1. Principal Band A (Members with principal turnover of under �9 million) between Graham Clubb and Jamie Gardiner, and 2. Retail Band A (Members with retail turnover of under �10 million) between Daniele Broccoli and Doreen McKenzie. If eligible Members have not received their ballot paper, duplicates may be obtained from Daryl Nurthen (dnurthen@abta.co.uk) on 020 7307 1996. The closing date for the return of ballot papers is Monday 20 February at 17.00 hours.

NEW BULGARIAN PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS. Members should note that with effect from 1 January 2006, all children entering Bulgaria need to have their own passport. Children included in parent's passports will only be allowed in if the passport also contains their photograph. Please visit www.ukpa.gov.uk/general_travel_bulgaria.asp for further information, or contact the UK Passport Service on 0870 521 0410.

NEW TRAVEL AGENTS' OFFICE INSURANCE SCHEME. Members are reminded of ABTA's new travel agents' office insurance scheme provided by Arnold Fisher Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. Exclusively to ABTA Members, the package includes cover for annual business travel for executive directors or partners on the board. For further information, please contact Arnold Fisher Insurance Services Limited (abta_members@arnoldfisher.co.uk) on 01923 236 399 or visit www.abtamembers.org/memberservices/officeinsurance.htm.

RNIB HOTEL GUIDE. The new RNIB Hotel Guide, supported by ABTA, features over 100 UK mainstream hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs - from the very smallest family-run places, to the largest chains. The guide, which has been developed to help promote UK product, gives customers who have a disability a real choice of places to stay where accessibility and well trained staff are the norm. All the places have been recommended by blind and partially sighted people and the guide also includes information on other issues, such as wheelchair access. Some of the establishments pay commission for agency bookings; Members are encouraged to ask, when booking. A copy of the guide is available at www.abtamembers.org/disability/hotelguide.pdf or can be purchased direct from RNIB at a cost of �5.99 (a discount may be available on bulk orders). To purchase a hard copy of the guide or for further information, please contact the RNIB (cservices@rnib.org.uk) on 0845 702 3153 or fax 01733 375 001.

ASPIRE 06. The Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) will be holding its 3rd annual conference for aspiring travel & tourism professionals from 28-29 March 2006 at Bourne Leisure's Butlins Bognor Regis Resort. To find out more about this event or to register, please visit www.itt.co.uk/default.asp?S=Events&A=43 or contact ITT (events@itt.co.uk) on 0870 770 7960.

NEW ABTA MEMBER. We are pleased to welcome Qwerty Travel Limited (K5056) in Bracknell as a new ABTA Member. For a full list of companies that have recently joined the Association, go to www.abtamembers.org/abtel/new.htm

For a list of forthcoming ABTA events, including regional meetings and seminars, go to www.abtamembers.org/diary.htm For a list of ABTA publications, consumer leaflets, and ABTA-branded items, go to www.abta.com/publications

� ABTA 2006. All rights reserved

If you cannot access the internet but would like further information about any of the topics covered in this issue of ABTA Today, please contact the Members' Information line on 0845 177 ABTA (2282) or 020 7307 1994.

You can change your email details at any time by going to www.abta.net/app/member.htm and following the prompts. Alternatively, contact Daryl Nurthen (dnurthen@abta.co.uk) on 020 7307 1996.

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Association of British Travel Agents Limited 68 - 71 Newman Street London W1T 3AH Telephone: +44 (0) 20-7637 2444 Telefax: +44 (0) 20-7637 0713 General e-mail: abta@abta.co.uk Web Site: http://www.abta.com Company No: 551311