Abta says finances healthy in wake of Baldwins Travel payouts

Abta paid out more than £700,000 on member claims following the failure of Baldwins Travel, accounts for the 12 months to last June show.

Baldwins was placed in liquidation in July 2025 after Abta rescinded its membership and called in its bond, allowing members to submit claims for pipeline money.

The accounts, filed this month, show Abta received 213 claims worth £808,268 by the end of June and paid out on 184 totalling £718,698.

Baldwins was the sole member to fail in the period, and pipeline claims related to it are closed, but Abta has retained three outsourced claims-handling partners “providing us with the ability to quickly upscale resources in the event of a failure where we require a fully outsourced facility or additional support for our in-house claims team”.

More: Third ex-Baldwins owner handed director ban

Special Report: Former Baldwins staff praise support of Premier Travel

Baldwins Travel wound up at High Court hearing

Abta noted it switched to “a new and improved” claims‑handling platform in January.

The accounts reveal no overall change in membership numbers despite 54 head office members leaving during the year – because 25 new head office members joined along with 29 ancillary office members, leaving the total unchanged at 1,126.

Abta reported a group surplus after tax of £1.1 million, down from £3.4 million the previous year, due to a trade association loss of £81,000 compared with a £344,000 surplus to June 2024. The association made a surplus of £1.2 million on its insurance activities, down from £3.1 million the previous year.

The group’s net assets increased by £1.1 million to £33.9 million.

Members’ subscriptions for 2024‑25 rose by 7%, bringing in just over £7 million of the £11.8 million in trade association revenue.

Abta finance director Michael Budge said: “Abta’s finances are in good health and our membership numbers remain strong – a good position to be in as we deliver Abta’s new five-year strategy, with members front and centre.

“Our focus is to ensure our activities and services continue to help members run successful businesses, whether developing their business capabilities or responding to events.”

He added: “There is also continued focus on promoting the value of Abta membership to consumers, [and] we do this while remaining a lean organisation.”