AITO stresses consumer protection pledge

Tuesday, 06 Feb, 2006 0

The withdrawal of ABTA consumer protection means the only way consumers can be sure of “100% customer protection” is to book with a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators.

The 150-strong association, which handles 1.2 million holidaymakers a year, stressed that it was maintaining its 100% financial protection for consumers despite the withdrawal of the ABTA consumer promise.

“In addition to full financial protection, AITO members all comply with AITO’s Quality Charter, which includes not only consumer care and quality standards but also covers environmental issues under AITO’s Responsible Tourism rules,” a statement said in response to the shake-up in ABTA membership guidelines.

“Booking with an AITO holiday company is now the only way that consumers can be sure that the holiday they are buying offers full financial protection,” the independents’ association claimed.

A statement said: “Many consumers believe that booking direct with scheduled airlines gives them automatic financial protection. It doesn’t. Even if you book with a credit card and pay over £100, the credit card company may refuse to cough up (eg if you are booking for yourself and some friends – it may cover the card holder, but not the friends).

“However, if you book with an AITO company and the airline goes down (as they do – over 20 no-frills airlines in the past couple of years, plus full-service carriers SABENA and Swissair have gone bust), the AITO company will re-book your travel arrangements at no extra cost to you.

“Consumers don’t realise that, if they book accommodation only (as many do), there is no redress – unless you book with an AITO company, which will offer you full financial protection no matter what you book with them. This applies whether you book direct with a tour operator or via a travel agent – so always look out for the AITO logo.”

Report by Phil Davies

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Phil Davies

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