Holidaymakers to get better information on what to do when travel firms go bust

HOLIDAYMAKERS will have further protection against travel firms which go bust with the launch next week of a new government-backed scheme.

The Atol scheme, which is administered by the Civil Aviation Authority, covers holiday packages which includes flights and provides refunds and repatriation for people if their travel company runs into trouble.

From next Monday holidaymakers will receive a yellow certificate whenever they book their holiday – telling them how they are protected and how to make a claim when things go wrong.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, welcomed the scheme but warned around 50 per cent of holiday bookings would not be covered. “We always advise consumers to always check what is protected when making a booking.”