AITO: ATOL campaign receives extra funding
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The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has received a further £400,000 from the government to promote ATOL, it has revealed.
Speaking at AITO’s domestic conference at the weekend, Nic Stephenson, assistant director of communications at CAA told delegates its consumer advertising campaign had more than doubled its original budget of £220,000 after the success of its initial launch.
In the first week of the new campaign its adverts had been viewed 4.5 million times and 22,500 had visited the website.
Stephenson told Travel Daily a new wave of adverts is due for around the Easter period and more in the summer to bring more awareness to the ATOL logo. “I have been with the CAA for five years and feel we are in the best place to show clarity to the consumer about consumer protection,” he said.
Meanwhile, David Moesli, consumer protection group deputy director at the CAA said it had received the “best signs we’ve had” that airlines could be included in the ATOL protection scheme now the Civil Aviation Bill has been passed.
“Government does have the opportunity and transport minister Simon Burns has indicated he understands that they should be included,” said Moesli. “Our view is that it needs to be acted on this year and the industry needs to continue its dialogue with the Department for Transport.”
He also hinted that changes to the Package Travel Directive are to happen.