UK Ferry Tickets

Over 90 per cent of people believe that the financial protection of holidays is important, yet millions are prepared to travel without it.

A survey of 5,000 consumers by the Civil Aviation Authority found that more than nine in ten were in favour of protection. But often when they book over the Internet they have no such security.

The only explanation for this is that people simply don’t know the rules. The survey also found that 35 per cent of consumers incorrectly believed that if they put together their own trip by, for example, buying separately a flight, hotel and car hire, they would be covered if any of the companies they booked with ceased trading.

The issue of holiday protection is controversial. The no-frills airlines, like Ryanair and easyJet, say their customers never complain about the fact that they don’t offer it. But people don’t object unless something goes wrong and these airlines are trading profitably.

There are certain archaic rules in the travel industry, which state that companies offering a package combining elements of a holiday must provide protection, while those that sell flights and hotels separately do not have to do so.

Many people, myself included, have argued for the rules to be changed, so that there is a level playing field for all companies.

As far as holidaymakers are concerned, they must be made aware of what is and what is not protected, so they can make an informed choice about where they buy their holidays.

Guest Article by Jeremy Skidmore

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007