Travel firm worries lead to holidaymaker fees increase

17/07/2009

Extra charges have been put forward for people who go on package holidays, as tour operators struggle in the downturn.

The Air Travel Organiser's Licence scheme, a Civil Aviation Authority-run programme that protects travellers against the collapse of their operator, is to hike its fees from £1 to £2.50.

This increase directly reflects the increased number of company defaults caused by the credit crunch.

Explaining the change, transport minister Paul Clark said: "I am aware of the extra burden this [on] travel companies and consumers at difficult times, which is why I have agreed to an increase at the bottom of the range consulted on by the Civil Aviation Authority."

Firms including Zoom and XL have gone under due to these financial pressures.

Recent figures from Sainsbury's Travel Insurance showed that many Brits are defying the recession and planning holidays this summer in order to get away from it all.

A total of 55 million trips are planned for this year - with around 670,000 people specifically planning their holiday to escape "recession depression".

Tags; Advice on Travel Costs, Young Family Finances, Recent Graduate Debt,

• Share
• 
• 
• Store
• 
• Follow
•