ABTA will launch a replacement for its direct debit Single Payment Scheme in late summer.

SPS allows faster online payments between travel agents and tour operators and consolidates transactions into a single weekly payment in or out of a member’s bank account.

Under the new scheme, developed by technology company Travel Ledger, members will be able to process payments more frequently, said ABTA.

Also, members will have control over their payments, not only who they transact with, but also by facilitating deposit and balance payments to tour operators and refunds from operators to agents, it said.

The new system has been tested by ABTA member focus groups over the last few months. It will use the same process as on the older platform, to avoid disruption to existing users’ back-office functions.