The purpose of this scheme is to allow young tour operating businesses which do not currently meet the AITO membership criteria but who hope to apply for membership within the next two years of their development, to participate in various services and meetings which AITO provides. This provides an opportunity for ‘apprentice’ companies to benefit from training courses, advice, networking and discussing common problems with likeminded tour operators.

What it offers

The following services would be available:

• General information from the AITO HQ on consumer financial protection, the Package Travel Regulations, insurers, and Responsible Tourism.
• Participation on Training Courses arranged by AITO (at the same cost as AITO members)
• Attendance at AITO General Meetings and one AITO Overseas Conference (at same cost as AITO members)
• A copy of the AITO Business Partner handbook and the opportunity to meet Business Partners and Tourist Office Affiliates at a time when the ‘apprentice’ tour operator most needs their advice and services.
• Opportunity to join the AITO legal Hotline scheme (at the same cost as AITO members)
• Access to the AITO Members website
• Receipt of AITO Bulletins

What is not provided

• Participants of the ‘apprentice’ scheme are not permitted to use the AITO logo or ‘Quality Charter’. They are not members of AITO.
• They will not be permitted to be featured on the AITO website or to participate in AITO marketing and PR activities.
• Participants cannot belong to the AITO Specialist Travel Agents scheme

Who can apply

Tour operators who have produced a business plan which has to be approved by the AITO membership committee but who have not yet produced two years’ annual accounts or have not reached an annual turnover of £250,000. They must intend to apply for AITO membership as soon as AITO criteria are met and cannot remain on the ‘apprentice’ scheme for longer than two years.

All applicants will be reviewed by the AITO Membership Committee and will need to demonstrate that their products conform to AITO’s image and that quality and high standards of service are key objectives. They will need to provide full consumer financial protection.

Companies will need to be owner managed with 50% of the shares belonging to Directors, their families or employees.

The cost

There is an annual fee of £300 plus VAT.

For further information regarding the AITO Apprentice Scheme please contact AITO on 020 8744 9280.