Travel companies urged to lobby MPs over card payment costs

The association has produced a template letter businesses can send to their representatives, setting out Abta’s response to an ongoing Treasury consultation on digital and card payments.

Closing June 5, the consultation is exploring ways the government can step in to reduce the cost of taking payments and create greater competition in the payments industry.

Abta says it will use the consultation to highlight the impact of regulatory changes such as the new Payment Services Directive on travel companies.

It will demand great regulation of the entire card payments chain, including proactive enforcement measures to increase transparency.

Luke Petherbridge, Abta’s senior public affairs manager, said: “MPs are always open to the views of their constituents and in particular to the concerns of local businesses.

“We know that many travel businesses have been hit hard by recent legal changes. The high charges levied by acquirers and the scheme providers need to be urgently addressed.

“This Treasury consultation gives the industry an important opportunity to make our case.”

An editable version of the template letter is available from Abta’s online member zone.