The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) plays an important role in the UK travel and tourism industry, yet many people are not familiar with what it does. This article explains what AITO is, its roles and responsibilities, and why it matters for travellers and tour operators.
- What is the Association of Independent Tour Operators?
- What does the Association of Independent Tour Operators do?
- Association of Independent Tour Operators membership
- How to contact AITO
- Why book with an AITO member?
- Examples of tours you can book with AITO members
- Association of Independent Tour Operators: To conclude
What is the Association of Independent Tour Operators?
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) is a UK travel industry trade association, similar in some ways to ABTA. It was founded in 1976 to represent independent, specialist holiday companies.
AITO represents more than 100 independent tour operators, many of them owner-managed, which together offer holidays to destinations all over the world.
Member companies offer a huge range of holidays, including city breaks, safaris, walking and cycling trips, cultural tours, luxury holidays and much more. AITO is based in Twickenham, south-west London.
Video: What is a tour operator?
What does the Association of Independent Tour Operators do?
AITO carries out a variety of roles. Most importantly for consumers, it requires its members to protect customers’ money and to meet set standards of business practice.
Every member is assessed financially and must agree to AITO’s Code of Business Practice and Quality Charter before membership is granted. These commit members to accurate holiday descriptions and consistent standards of service, which are monitored on an ongoing basis.
AITO and sustainability
AITO places a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism. It has a Sustainable Tourism Committee that encourages members to make their businesses and the holidays they offer more sustainable.
This committee aims to:
- Protect the Environment – its flora, fauna and landscapes
- Respect local cultures – traditions, religions and built heritage
- Benefit local communities – both economically and socially
- Conserve natural resources – from office to destination
- Minimise pollution – through noise, waste disposal and congestion
With climate change an ever-present issue, it is important that travel is as responsible as possible. AITO members work towards these goals by:
- Establishing their own policies and involving their staff
- Informing their clients about sustainable tourism and, where appropriate, encouraging them to participate
- Working with their suppliers and partners to achieve sustainable goals and practices
- Publicising good practice to encourage and spread awareness about sustainable tourism
AITO reviews
The AITO website features customer reviews of member companies. These help AITO to hold its members to a high standard and allow travellers to see what previous customers think of the companies they are considering booking with.
Reviews typically cover both the holiday itself and the service provided by the tour operator, so customers can comment separately on each.
Dispute resolution
AITO offers access to an independent dispute settlement service for disputes between members and their customers that cannot be resolved directly. This provides a low-cost alternative to going to court.
This means that if something goes wrong with a holiday and the customer and tour operator cannot agree on a resolution, there is a clear route for resolving the complaint.
Financial security from the Association of Independent Tour Operators
One of the main reasons to book a tour or trip with an AITO member is the financial security that comes with doing so.
AITO members must comply with UK consumer protection regulations, including the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, and must provide financial protection for customers’ money – for example through ATOL (for holidays including flights) or bonding and trust account arrangements. This is monitored by AITO.
This means that if a member company were to fail financially, customers would be protected and would either receive a refund or be able to complete their holiday.
Association of Independent Tour Operators membership
The AITO upholds high standards for and within the travel industry.
Tour operators wishing to become members must guarantee that they have full consumer protection in place, which is one way that the AITO can continue to keep up these high standards. Members must also provide a sustainable approach to travel as well as a wide range of holidays.
AITO members include many of the UK’s best-known specialist tour operators. Membership is both a recognition of their standards and a way of maintaining them.
Members benefit from being part of a group of like-minded businesses, networking events, a collective voice in travel industry debates, training, legal advice and regular updates.
You can find out if a tour company is registered with the Association of Independent Tour Operators by accessing the members page on their website.
Booking with an AITO member gives customers specialist knowledge, personal service and a holiday that comes with financial protection.
How to contact AITO
AITO can be contacted via the contact details on its official website, aito.com, which also lists all current member companies.
Why book with an AITO member?
In addition to the financial protection and standards discussed above, there are several other reasons why travellers choose AITO member companies.
Specialist knowledge
AITO members are specialists, often focusing on a particular destination or type of holiday. They may have access to accommodation, guides and experiences that are difficult to find or book independently online.
This expertise can result in more unique itineraries and, in some cases, better value.
Support when things change
AITO members can respond to changes in circumstances, such as flight cancellations or natural disasters, and suggest alternative arrangements where possible.
This proved particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions changed frequently.
Customer service
Customer service is a key part of AITO’s Quality Charter.
Customer feedback, reviews and training all help members to maintain high standards of customer service.
Examples of tours you can book with AITO members
AITO members offer a huge variety of trips. Here are a few examples of the types of holidays available (membership can change over time, so check the AITO website for the current list of members).
Safaris
Several AITO members specialise in safari holidays.
For example, Africa Collection has offered tours to South Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, including tailor-made trips, escorted tours and self-drive itineraries.
Trekking
Trekking holidays in the Himalayas require careful planning and local expertise.
Specialists such as The Mountain Company organise treks in Nepal, India and Bhutan, including remote routes and charity treks, taking care of logistics such as permits, guides and accommodation.
Horse riding
Specialist operators such as Equestrian Escapes plan tailor-made riding holidays in the UK and Europe for different ages and abilities – a good example of how AITO members provide expertise for holidays that are a little out of the ordinary.
Walking tours
Kudu Travel, for example, organises holidays with guided cultural walking tours around the world. Themes range from history and art to food and wine, with walks graded from relaxed to moderately demanding.
Association of Independent Tour Operators: To conclude
The Association of Independent Tour Operators is an important organisation within the UK travel and tourism industry, promoting financial protection, quality standards and sustainable practices among specialist holiday companies.
AITO: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about the Association of Independent Tour Operators.
What is AITO?
AITO is the Association of Independent Tour Operators, a UK trade association founded in 1976 that represents independent, specialist tour operators.
Are AITO holidays financially protected?
Yes. AITO members must provide financial protection for customers’ money, for example through ATOL for flight-inclusive holidays or bonding arrangements.
What is the difference between AITO and ABTA?
Both are UK travel trade associations. ABTA represents a wide range of travel agents and tour operators of all sizes, while AITO focuses specifically on independent, specialist tour operators.
How do I know if a company is an AITO member?
The official AITO website lists all current member companies, and members can display the AITO logo.
What does AITO do about sustainability?
AITO has a Sustainable Tourism Committee and encourages members to protect the environment, respect local cultures, benefit local communities, conserve resources and minimise pollution.
Further reading
If you found this article helpful, the following posts may also be of interest:
- What is a tour operator and how does it work?
- What is ABTA and how does it work?
- Types of travel agents
- How to become an independent travel agent
- What is sustainable tourism?
- The chain of distribution in tourism
