A WEEK AT ABTA Last week�s ECTAA meeting in Germany which I attended provided an excellent opportunity for us to make very strong representations about the inequalities and confusion arising from the current state of the Package Travel Regulations, which act against our Members� interests and confuse our customers. We're meeting up with the Captive Insurance Board in Guernsey this week to discuss the terms of our renewal of the Travel Agents� Bond Replacement Scheme and Non-Licensable shortfall policy. Both have been running very successfully for a number of years, shoring up ABTA�s financial promise at very reasonable rates for Members. As you'll know our Convention has been moved to Marbella and our thanks to the Spanish authorities for their great support. I look forward to seeing you there and was pleased to see that only one early-booked delegate for Athens can�t now make it to Spain. Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive

THE ABTA TRAVEL CONVENTION We're delighted to announce some of the key speakers confirmed for the ABTA Travel Convention in Marbella, 27-29 November 2006. Sarah Montague, a main presenter on BBC Radio 4�s flagship Today programme will moderate the Convention�s business sessions. Speakers include Stelios Haji-Iannou, founder of the Easy Group, Doug Richard from BBC's Dragon's Den, and Dermot Blastland, Managing Director of Mainstream Holidays at First Choice. More business sessions will be announced in due course. Please see www.abtamembers.org/press for full details. For further information about the Convention, please contact the Convention Office (moreinfo@theabtatravelconvention.com) on 01920 873030 or visit www.theabtatravelconvention.com.

NEW LOOK ABTA WEBSITE As you'll have noticed we've given the ABTA website at www.abta.com and www.abtamembers.org a brand new look. We'll continue to add new pages and features over the coming weeks. If you have any queries about the new site, please contact the Members' Information line (membersinfo@abta.co.uk) on 0845 177 ABTA (2282).

EU-US AGREEMENT ON DATA TRANSFER The European Court of Justice delivered a judgement on 30 May 2006 blocking the transfer of PNR (Passenger Name Record) data to the US authorities effective 30 September 2006. It's anticipated that a solution will be found to this before the deadline. In the meantime, please note that this only affects PNR data and doesn't affect APIS data (passport details, country of residence, first night address) which agents are asked to continue to provide to the airlines. If you have any queries about this, please contact the Members Information line (membersinfo@abta.co.uk) on 0845 177 ABTA (2282).

OUT-OF-HOURS EMERGENCY CONTACTS A reminder about this online service, which is designed to help Members contact each other quickly and easily in the event of an emergency arising from a major incident. If you haven't already done so, please enter your details now by going to www.abta.net/app/member.htm. For full details of how this new facility works, please see www.abtamembers.org/contact/emergencypassword.htm. If you have any queries about this, please contact the Members� Information line (membersinfo@abta.co.uk) on 0845 177 (ABTA) 2282.

RNIB HOTEL GUIDE 2006 The new RNIB Hotel Guide, which is supported by ABTA, features more than 100 UK mainstream hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs - from the very smallest family-run places, to the largest chains - all of which have been recommended by blind and partially-sighted people. The guide also includes information such as details of wheelchair access. Some of the establishments pay commission for agency bookings. 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. If you order 40 copies of the guide, you can buy them at a special offer of �1 each. To purchase the guide or for further information, please contact the RNIB (cservices@rnib.org.uk) on 0845 702 3153.

ABTA BUSINESS LUNCH Due to Miles Morgan leaving TUI UK, the business lunch on 12 July 2006 will no longer be taking place. If you have any queries about this or future ABTA events, please contact Colin Yonge (seminars@abta.co.uk) on 020 7307 1979.

OUT NOW, ABTA MAGAZINE JUNE 2006 The June edition of ABTA Magazine is out now and packed full of news and ideas to keep you informed and at the top of your selling game. In this month's issue: the ongoing British love affair with France/the irresistible rise of China/Croatia hits the big time/round-the-world-holidays/how agents are faring in the world of insurance and ferries/plus the usual mix of news, lifestyle, worklife, reviews and the essential ABTA news. For more information or if you're interested in receiving a free copy, please contact ABTA Magazine (editorial@abtamagazine.co.uk) on 020 7253 9906

Further informationFor information about anyof the items in this issueof ABTA Today, visit www.abtamembers.org or contact the Members� Information line membersinfo@abta.co.uk on 0845 177 ABTA (2282). Change your detailsYou can change youremail details at anytime by going to www.abta.net/app/member.htm andfollowing the prompts.Alternatively, contactDaryl Nurthendnurthen@abta.co.ukon 020 7307 1996. For further information visit www.theabtatravelconvention.comor call 01920 873030.

The ABTA Travel Convention, New Look ABTA Website, EU-US Agreement On Data Transfer, Out-Of-Hours Emergency Contacts, RNIB Hotel Guide 2006, ABTA Business Lunch, Out Now, ABTA Magazine June 2006