Protected Trust Services has increased its franchise ATOL from 1,000 to 5,000 passengers after adding 126 new members this year.
It said that some of the new members are homeworking groups with more than 200 agents, plus retail agents expanding onto the high street, and tour operators.
It said members were ‘very much in need’ of the increase to the franchise ATOL, which allows members to hold their own licence to sell package holidays without the need for a bond since they operate via a trust account. The increase takes effect immediately.
Executive director Emma Collis said: “There has been a visual turn in membership dynamics in 2024 compared to previous years, prominently those joining us now are larger trading businesses who are focused on growth and the freedom and flexibility PTS offer to take their businesses to the next level.
“They want to branch out into dynamically packaging by obtaining ATOL licences, expand by collaborating with new suppliers, recruiting homeworkers, and broadening their market presence through other agents— and that’s exactly what PTS fully supports and facilitates.”
PTS said it will also be announced technology updates in the new year.
