The scheme, known as Aito Aspire, is aimed at SMEs that don’t yet meet the minimum standards for full Aito membership, and require mentoring and advice.
Martyn Sumners, Aito executive director, said: “We are regularly contacted by recently launched companies seeking to find their way amid the complex plethora of rules and regulations with which travel companies are expected to comply.
“We believe that by nurturing the travel industry’s new generation of specialist travel experts and ensuring they understand – and meet – their legal obligations to the holiday-buying public, Aito’s support will ensure such new businesses understand and comply with the often-complex UK travel industry rules and regulations.
"This will be to the benefit of one and all but especially, of course, to the consumer.”
Aito said operators most likely to be interested in the scheme will have a turnover of less than £750,000. Aito Aspire membership grants access to networking events, training courses, shared business resources and advice.
“We believe Aito Aspire will prove to be a safe harbour in which start-ups can flourish and prosper,” Sumners added. “SMEs have long been the seedbed of new ideas in tour operating, and Aito is the natural home for vibrant start-ups.
“We look forward to welcoming many new companies to Aito Aspire and helping them to achieve their long-term goals under the supportive Aito framework of wide industry knowledge and know-how plus genuine friendship and a caring and above all a practical, can-do approach.”
Aito said Aspire members could gain full membership from their second trading anniversary, subject to the usual entry requirements.
