Bumper January expects £4.5bn worth of holidays booked

• Aviation regulator gives consumer advice to passengers expected to spend  £4.5bn worth of package holidays* expected to be booked in January.
• More people book their summer holidays in the first month of the year, than at any other time with a third of holidays booked in the first quarter.
• Consumers should look out for hidden charges or additional hidden costs and always check for ATOL protection.

The Civil Aviation Authority has issued a warning to passengers tempted to book a ‘too good to be true’ holiday deal. £4.5bn worth of holiday deals are expected to be snapped up this January alone.

The aviation regulator, which runs the ATOL scheme, is urging consumers to make sure their money is protected should the worst happen by booking an ATOL protected holiday. Consumers can also use the ‘Check an ATOL’ tool to make sure their holiday provider has an ATOL Licence.

The ATOL scheme (which stands for Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) provides financial protection that protects approximately 33 million people in the UK annually when they book a package trip that includes a flight. The scheme steps in to protect passengers if their holiday company ceases to trade, assisting them to get home if they are already aboard or allowing them to make a claim for a refund if they are yet to travel.

Holidaymakers should also research thoroughly before booking their next holiday, as there can be a risk of getting caught out by hidden costs and extras, or potentially booking with fraudulent companies.

Michael Budge, Head of ATOL at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

 “We know that many are planning and booking their holidays over the first few months of the year, with the first pay day after Christmas being when holiday booking peaks.

“We are encouraging those booking getaways this pay day to make smart decisions and to avoid missing out on key financial protection.

“Before you press that book now button, make sure you have used our Check an ATOL tool, to make sure the holiday provider you are using holds an ATOL licence, and you have considered purchasing an ATOL protected holiday”.

Top tips to help prevent falling victim to holiday fraud:

• Do your research: before committing and booking your dream holiday, make sure that you do a thorough online search to ensure the company is credible.
• Check the web address: and don’t follow links from unsolicited messages.
• Pay safely: where possible use a credit card when shopping online.
• Look for the logo: make sure they’re a licensed company and check that they are properly accredited. Look for an ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) and/or a membership of ABTA, The Association of British Travel Agents.
• Stay safe online: use three random words to create a strong password for your email that’s different to all your other passwords. If a 2-step verification option is available, always set it.
  • Beware of suspicious messages: be cautious of unexpected emails or messages offering unrealistic holiday deals. If you receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding it to [email protected]
  • Protect personal information: only fill in the mandatory details on a website when making a purchase. If possible, don’t create an account for the online store when making your payment.
• Book with confidence: be sceptical of unrealistic holiday deals. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Exercise caution and research before making purchases.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you live in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

ENDS

*ATOL protected flight inclusive packages.