Abta halved its fees last year owing to the financial strain the Covid crisis placed on many members.

Target, Travel Agents Reform Group Engaged Together, on Wednesday (26 May) urged the association to do the same this year after 20% of Target’s 1,000 members said they would struggle to afford the fees at their proposed levels.

The group wrote to Abta chair Alistair Rowland and chief executive Mark Tanzer calling for "urgent action" to reduce the association’s subscription fees.

Pole Travel’s Jill Waite, Target co-founder, said: "Members [of Target] have clearly stated that with no income coming in, they cannot afford the subscription fees Abta is proposing.

"Many agents have taken on part-time jobs in addition to running their businesses to supplement their income. However, one agent told us it would take 11 weeks’ earnings from their part-time job to cover the Abta membership subscriptions."

However, an Abta spokesperson told TTG on Thursday (27 May): “We understand these are the toughest times many Abta members have ever experienced and that the pandemic has caused real financial and emotional strain on businesses and individuals.

“As such, Abta members want and need us to be active for them during these unprecedented times, by providing the high-quality services they need – such as free legal advice and business support, lobbying and operational guidance as well as a trusted brand. These are predominantly funded by subscriptions.

“Whereas usually subscriptions would be due in full at the start of the financial year, we are helping members now with via quarterly payments which will enable them to spread the financial costs over the year.”