Holidaymakers are warned to check their break is ATOL-protected before making a 2024 booking.
ATOL, the financial protection scheme run by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, has been running for 50 years and covers more than 26 million passengers a year through over 1,600 licensed travel businesses.
It is encouraging those planning a holiday to use the ‘Check for ATOL’ tool on its website to see if a holiday provider holds an ATOL licence.
What are the benefits?
The ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) scheme is financial protection that covers you when you book a package trip that includes a flight. It’s separate to travel insurance, which is still highly recommended.
ATOL protection covers you before and during your trip. If your travel company stops trading when you are abroad, it can help you to continue your trip by:
• Assisting you to stay in your holiday accommodation, if possible
• Reimbursing you for any money you spent to replace ATOL-protected parts of your trip, such as car hire or transfers
• Arranging flights home, depending on the circumstances.
The scheme is designed to reassure you that your money is safe, and will provide assistance in the event of an ATOL holder failure.
Peak booking period
According to a recent ATOL survey, we’re about to enter the peak 2024 holiday booking period with over half of people (56%) planning to go abroad for the summer holiday.
It found that those in Northern Ireland were the most likely to go abroad next year (67%) followed by those in Wales (57%).
Over half (55%) of those in England plan a trip away in 2024, while Scots were the least likely of those surveyed to go overseas next year (53%).
ATOL’s survey also revealed that of those planning to go on an overseas summer holiday, 17% have already booked, 23% plan to book it this winter and more than two-thirds (38%) plan to book it in the spring.
Just 17% intend to leave it until the last minute and book between June and August.
ATOL protection and peace of mind
Andrew McConnell, head of media and external affairs for the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This year has seen growth in bookings, driving holiday reservations back to pre-pandemic levels, and while unfortunately, we have seen several smaller organisations go out of business this year, ATOL financial protection has provided reassurance by assisting people to get home if they are already abroad or allowing them to make a claim for a refund if they are yet to travel.
“We know from our research that people are already planning their next overseas trip, so before consumers take the holiday plunge, they should use our ‘check for ATOL’ tool to see if their holiday provider holds an ATOL licence.
“By booking an ATOL-protected holiday, they know they can then relax, knowing they won’t be left out of pocket should anything happen to their travel firm.”
