Luke Petherbridge told TTG’s Keep Your Business Alive seminar last week Which?’s messaging “lacked nuance”, something he said was particularly disheartening given the organisation’s 10-point plan was, in some areas, “not far off” Abta’s stance.

“They’re acknowledging there’s a problem with refunds in the time frames in the [package travel] legislation, and saying government should do something about that,” said Petherbridge.

“We agree; we don’t agree with their one-month window, but we essentially agree on the point that the window is impossible and needs to be moved.”

Petherbridge added Abta and Which? were also aligned on the need for the CAA and the Department for Transport to acknowledge their liability behind the Atol scheme.

“That’s going to be really important for consumer confidence and for the message travel agents and tour operators give to consumers about their money being protected,” said Petherbridge.

“[Consumers] will eventually get their refunds. It’s about doing that as soon as it is possible, as opposed to sticking to arbitrary time frames that weren’t designed for this level of crisis and, frankly, will force insolvencies across the travel industry and people to lose their jobs.”

Meanwhile, Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer addressed consumers directly in an open letter published in the national press last week. He later said pressure was mounting on the government to act, after hopes it was preparing to confirm Abta’s proposed refund credit notes would carry financial protection failed to materialise.

In the absence of a government stance, Tanzer said members offering customers refund credit notes should follow Abta’s guidance precisely, and remember where cash refunds are requested, they should be given as soon as possible.