ABTA and RHA Join Forces to Strengthen Coach Travel Industry Benefits

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The Association for Travel and RHA Coaches have initiated a collaborative effort aimed at improving the perks for coach travel firms that are members of each entity, while also striving to strengthen the representation of the coach travel industry.

Through this collaborative effort, ABTA and RHA Coaches are set to enhance their cooperation in various domains, notably in public affairs, where they will tackle issues related to coach policies, including aspects of school transportation in the post-Brexit landscape and the roll-out of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System. Part of this initiative will involve fostering engaging discussions among their shared membership on the challenges unique to this sector.

ABTA boasts a diverse membership base, offering a wide array of coach travel options, ranging from educational trips and ski vacations to sightseeing tours and day excursions. The association is eager to work closely with RHA Coaches and their members to further strengthen these connections.

Introduced in March 2021, RHA Coaches serves as a division of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), dedicated to supporting coach operators.

Members of RHA joining ABTA stand to gain from the prestigious ABTA branding and its extensive suite of services, including legal counsel and financial protection strategies. These benefits are designed to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities under the Package Travel Regulations, while also enjoying the advantage of industry-specific insights through our joint efforts.

Rachel Jordan, Director of Membership and Financial Protection, from ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“We’re really delighted to be working more closely with RHA Coaches for the benefit of ABTA’s coach members and the wider coach sector. Coach travel is a sector within its own right, and we know that our members have been facing some unique challenges, particularly around travel between the UK and EU.

“Not only does this new partnership formalise an existing working relationship between ABTA and RHA Coaches, it also opens doors for greater collaboration, which will enhance our offer to new and existing coach members.”

Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director said:

“We’re delighted to announce our new partnership with ABTA which will deliver a formidable offering to support coach operators.

“We’re taking a great opportunity to align our established brands to collaborate on key industry priorities and build on the strength and depth of the services we provide our members.”

Jason Edwards, Managing Director, Jason Edwards Travel Ltd and member of ABTA and RHA Coaches said:

“With many coach companies operating their own holiday programme in the UK and Europe, the trusted knowledge and guidance from RHA Coaches is already well used. To sit alongside ABTA’s long-standing brand, support, industry knowledge and the first-class ABTA team, I have no doubt will help guide and shape the industry for years to come.

“I have recently become ABTA bonded for my own Jason Edwards Travel business, and it certainly gives our customers further peace of mind being associated with the iconic ABTA brand. Also, a joint voice on UK and European legislation can only be a benefit to operators and its customers. This new partnership clearly is a win, win for UK businesses.”

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