I was always a fan of booking my own holidays independently, thinking I was getting a better deal, more flexibility and control. I'd never had any issues with this and was happy to do my own research and live with the consequences if it didn't go to plan. I thought the term 'package holidays' only related to a week in the sun, not a longer adventure and I'd never even heard of tailor-made travel, so I didn't know it was an option.
(Having fun in Namibia, 2016)
It wasn't until I had a problem that I thought about the consequences of booking independently, the benefits of booking a package and how to book a package for a more bespoke holiday or adventure.
A few years ago I was travelling in Argentina with friends. We'd booked everything separately ourselves using booking.com, direct with the estancia & kayak.com for the flights. We had a few days in Buenos Aires, a week on an estancia riding horses, followed by 3 nights in Foz do Iguaçu, to visit the falls - absolute bliss!
(Horse riding at Estancia Los Potreros, 2019)
When we arrived in Foz do Iguaçu, we found out there were strikes planned in Buenos Aires airport the day of our departure, meaning we would miss our flight home. We tried to arrange an earlier flight back to BA, the problem was, so was everyone else. Every time we got to the point of booking, the prices would change (upwards), or the flight became unavailable. After hours of this, we managed to book an earlier flight from Foz to BA. Two of us made our connection home in time, but one of our group had to stay for a few extra days in BA.
It wasn't the end of the world, of course. But, we incurred extra costs for new flights from Foz to BA and for extra accommodation, which we had to pay because the holiday wasn't protected. Instead of enjoying our time in Foz, we spend hours on our phones messing around with flights and we lost half a day at the waterfalls because we had to leave early. Talk about false economy.
If this had been booked with a travel agent, then they would have been made aware of the strikes and they would've found alternative flights for us, arranging any new accommodation that may have been needed. We would've been able to get on with our holiday, with no hassle and no extra costs. A no brainer really! Though at the time, I wouldn't have known how to book our holiday as a package.
Lets go through some of people you may book with, ABTA describes travel agents and tour operators are follows:
Travel agents sell package holidays and other travel arrangements that are provided by others, eg tour operators, hotels, airlines. Your contract for the travel services will be with the tour operator or other service providers. Examples include Hays Travel. These days many travel agents are also tour operators, for example Travel Counsellors.
Tour operators put together package holidays and may sell other travel services on their own, such as accommodation. The tour operator is responsible for all the travel services which are included in the package holiday. The contract will be between you and the tour operator. Examples include Easyjet holidays, Jet2 Holidays, Intrepid Travel.
There are also websites that act as search engines for travel, connecting providers across the travel industry to help travellers plan their trips. Examples include Expedia.com & Booking.com, These arrangements wouldn't have 'package holiday' protection or other financial or legal protection as they are sold separately.
What is a package holiday?
If you book a 'package holiday' with a travel agent or tour operator, then you have the highest level of financial and legal protection in case things don't go to plan when you travel.
Packages can be both 'off the shelf' such as a Jet2 holiday or 'tailor-made' for example by a Travel Counsellor to suit your interests & style, such as my trip to Argentina and Brazil. They include at least two different travel services, which you'd usually pay for as a single payment, such as:
Flights, coach, rail
Hotels, villas, apartments
Car rental
Tours & attractions
Booking a package holiday
Booking a package holiday through a UK travel agent offers significant legal and financial protection. For flight-inclusive packages, ATOL protection ensures customers receive refunds or repatriation if the travel company goes out of business. The Package Travel Regulations 2018 provide comprehensive coverage, including full refunds if the holiday is cancelled by the provider and compensation if the holiday does not match what was promised. Additionally, travel agents must provide assistance during the holiday if issues like natural disasters or political unrest arise, ensuring a safe and secure travel experience.
Booking travel arrangements independently
As I learned from experience, booking travel arrangements separately comes with risks. Separate bookings lack ATOL protection and the comprehensive coverage provided by the Package Travel Regulations 2018. This means no guaranteed refunds or repatriation if a provider goes out of business, and no coordinated assistance in case of disruptions. Additionally, separately booked travel components may have conflicting cancellation policies, making changes more costly and logistically challenging. Package holidays often provide bundled discounts and a single point of contact for all travel-related issues, ensuring a smoother and more secure travel experience.
Imagine booking a flight, tour and hotel separately. If the airline cancels the flight, you might not receive a refund for your non-refundable hotel reservation. Similarly, if your hotel goes out of business, you might not get assistance with finding new accommodation, unlike with a package holiday where the travel agent would handle such issues.
The Travel Counsellor difference
Every part of your holiday booked with Travel Counsellors is fully protected, with ATOL bonding and our unique financial trust, your holiday could not be in safer hands. Just ask Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert, 2020 who ranked TC top of all travel firms during the pandemic.
At Travel Counsellors we keep a constant eye out for any issues which may affect our client's holidays. These might include destination issues, such as extreme weather or civil unrest, supplier issues, flight cancellations or airport closures, as well as any changes in visa and passport requirements. Often I'll know there's an issue and will have been able to work on an alternative, before my clients have seen any disruption at all.
Despite your best planning, there will always be things that are outside of your control. Over the last month I've had a client miss their flight due to forgetting a passport and another whose overnight train was cancelled with only half a day's notice. In both situations, I was able to make alternate arrangements for the clients, saving them time, money and hassle. At the very least, it's always good to know you have someone in your corner, ready to spring into action when you need them.
The best thing about booking with a TC like me is that you don't pay for the extra service you receive. I look after you and your holiday, ensuring your holiday goes smoothly, and here for you in case there's a bump in the road!
(Iguazu Falls, 2019 just before the airport strikes were announced)
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