Does ATOL (UK Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) and ABTA (UK Travel Association) cover tour operators to the self-styled ‘TRNC’ – that part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus illegally invaded, occupied and settled by Turkey?
The vast majority of property in the ‘TRNC’ area, over which the Republic of Cyprus maintains legal jurisdiction, rightfully belongs to Cypriots displaced by Turkey’s invasion. This includes most holiday accommodation.
Following the recent high profile Orams case, holidaymakers to the ‘TRNC’ and their tour operators now face the real prospect of legal claims for trespass, and these claims are enforceable against them in the UK and throughout the EU.
The ATOL and ABTA names lend considerable credibility to tour operators and the holidays they offer. I would have thought neither ATOL nor ABTA would want their good names associated with operators selling holidays that can unwittingly land the public in expensive foreign litigation.
What do others think?
ATOL
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=27
[email protected]
ABTA
http://www.abta.com/contact-us