Applying for AITO Membership

• They should be bona fide tour operators whose business is primarily organised as that of a tour operator contracting with holidaymakers as a principal.
• They should be able to demonstrate that they are not in a position to derive benefits on a substantial scale from the ownership of travel agencies or an airline or other travel industry related business by the member, its parent company or another subsidiary of its parent company
• They are not subsidiaries of larger organizations that would qualify for but have not sought membership of the Association
• A significant proportion of the activity of the business amounting to at least £250,000 in annual turnover is attributable to the sale of inclusive holidays.
• They should have been trading as a tour operator for a minimum of two years (two sets of annual audited accounts or those certified by an accountant are required).
• A minimum of £10,000 paid up share capital.
• They should be UK based and their literature/brochures and website should be produced in English.
• Their marketing information, whether brochure or web-based, must reflect the high standards expected of AITO members.
• They should match the general profile of AITO members, most of whom are small-to-medium specialist companies with hands-on management involved in the day to day running of the business.
• They should provide full financial protection of clients monies as required by the regulations in the event of the business failing. This includes both licensable (ATOL) and non-licensable turnover. Trust Accounts, other than the Travel Trust Association are not acceptable.
• They should have public liability insurance with minimum cover of £2m.
• They should be prepared to abide by the terms and spirit of the AITO Quality Charter and Code of Business Practice.
• The AITO logo is seen as a kite mark of excellence. Applicants have to satisfy the AITO Council that the quality standards expected are being met.

Types of Membership

There are two types of membership: Independent and Invited.

Independent Membership: Independent members are those tour operators whose share capital is at least 50% owned by directors, their relatives or the employees.

Invited Membership: Invited members, who only total around 15% of the total membership, are those operators who cannot satisfy the share ownership test but whom the AITO Council believe have a similar philosophy and share AITO's standards and values. The precise rights of invited members are set out in the Association's Memorandum & Articles but in general terms they enjoy all the rights of independent members other than the entitlement to vote on constitutional issues.

How to Apply