Government to widen Atol protection

Matt Chorley
Sunday 30 January 2011 01:00 GMT
Comments

Six million holidaymakers who book their trips through low-cost websites will be protected if their tour operators go bust.

Ministers will unveil reforms this week to the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme, which covers package holidays if a firm fails. Theresa Villiers, the Aviation minister, is expected to widen the definition of a package holiday to cover deals where flights, accommodation and other services are booked within a short time.

It follows the growth of aggregator websites which draw together low-cost flight and hotel deals, but aren't official package deals found in high street travel agents. An extra six million holidays will be covered.

A government source said: "Atol has provided protection for millions of holidaymakers and we're determ- ined to see this continue. Insolvencies in recent years have shown us how important it is that customers be protected, but the scheme is in need of reform."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in