ABTA's board of directors will be halved in size and the name changed from the Association of British Travel Agents to ABTA Limited under shake-up plans unveiled today (Thursday).
The current 18 directors would be cut down to nine, including one non-ABTA member, under the proposals which will be put to a members' vote at and EGM on April 3.
Association bosses claim the planned restructuring is needed to enable the organisation to be "fully representative of the travel industry today and in the future".
Under the suggested changes, membership categories would change from 'travel agent' and 'tour operator', to 'agents' and 'principals'.
"Existing travel companies have changed their business models so that the lines between tour operator and travel agent have become blurred, while new start-up companies entering the market do not necessarily fit into the old categories of ABTA membership," a statement said.
The name change has been put forward due to the strength of the ABTA brand.
Tyhe full story can be found at
http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1116220.php