+++ ABTA and FTO to merge - finally +++

ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators are to unite (at last) from July 1.

This is big news for the UK travel industry, which has looked towards its traditional representative bodies for some years to find - let's face it - a more relevant position in the new world.

The move signals what many in the online space have said for years: any organisation (which apparently has the interests of the industry and, perhaps more importantly, consumers at heart) must represent both the transactional and service providers.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer will retain his current role. FTO boss Andy Cooper will become ABTA head of development.

Travolution sister title Travel Weekly has more details and reaction.

Kevin May, editor, Travolution

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