by Web Business Solutions Ltd
Disneyworld and Theme Parks
Holiday ideas for March
Holiday Ideas for April
Holiday Ideas for May
Holiday Ideas for October
Holiday ideas for December Mountain holiday ideas
Association Independent Tour Operators
AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Member
companies are usually owner-managed and The Association say they encourage the highest
standards in all aspects of tour operating.
Consumer protection with AITO
Financial protection is something that we don't normally think about until something goes wrong, of course - and that's the time when we regret not having looked into it properly. It's a complex issue, particularly in the travel industry - but you can relax when you book an AITO holiday because AITO members comply with the highest standards of consumer protection. Every AITO holiday is backed not only by AITO's Quality Charter but also by full financial protection.
Quite simply, if an AITO operator goes out of business for any reason, you will (depending on your holiday dates) either receive a full refund or will be able to complete your holiday as planned, with repatriation arranged at the end of your holiday. You will not be required to pay anything else and all arrangements will be made on your behalf.
Bonded tour operators, however, offer full financial back-up - and many operators will happily book a no-frills flight for their customers, which means the flight will then be protected via the operator's consumer protection.
There are many different ways for tour operators to arrange financial protection for their clients. Air-inclusive holidays are, for example, protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licence (ATOL) and monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Non-air holidays (self-drive by car, or travel by coach or train, for example) can be covered by a wide range of DTI-approved organisations, including AITO Trust (AITO's own bonding arm), ABTA, the Travel Trust Association and others.
AITO makes it simple for you, however. No matter the type of holiday you book, you can relax in the knowledge that AITO monitors its members closely and that AITO offers you its own guarantee of financial protection. It means that you can relax and enjoy your AITO holiday from the moment that you book it!
AITO Quality Charter
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.
Financial Security
An AITO member is required to protect money paid by customers to
the member for any holiday sold under the AITO logo. This protection applies to customers
who are in the UK at the time of booking or to overseas customers who have booked
directly with the member. Members have to comply with the UK Government Regulations
in this respect. Members submit details of their bonding or guarantee arrangements
to the Association on a regular basis.
Responsible Tourism
All members acknowledge the importance of AITO's Responsible Tourism
guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities
of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance
of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 or 5 star status.
Customer Relations
All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues
their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member
and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO's low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement
Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable
conclusion.
Dispute Settlement Service
This Mediation Service, which has been devised by arrangement with AITO, is administered and managed quite independently by Dispute Settlement Services Ltd a small independent consultancy specialising in consumer affairs and related travel subjects. It is a service for tour operators who are members of AITO and their customers who find themselves in dispute over holiday arrangements. It offers a simple and inexpensive method of settling disputes by the appointment of an independent Mediator to examine the facts and give a ruling quickly, without too much formality and without resorting to expensive litigation and in an atmosphere which can result in the retention of goodwill by both parties.
The customer does not have to use the scheme but if s/he wishes to do so, application should generally be made within nine months of the date of return home from holiday. The service may still be available outside this period in special circumstances. All applications must be accompanied by the standard form of agreement duly signed together with the appropriate fee. Currently £161.00
The maximum sum which a Mediator may award under this arrangement is limited to £2,500.00 per individual, but subject to a maximum sum of £10,000.00 for any one booking. This service is not considered suitable for claims which are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequences thereof. Find out more about the Mediation Process
Find an AITO Member.
More Consumer Information
Baggage Cancellation Check-in, security and departure Delay Denied Boarding including overbooking Downgrading Financial protection In-flight services Missed connections ABTA CAA AITO ATOL Passports, Visas and Photo ID Schedule changes Tickets and fares How to complain Travel Insurance Airport Parking Travel Money Your Ideal Holiday Legal Process for Complaints Hand Luggage Luggage Allowance