10 July 2008

Crunch boosts AITO membership

AITO membership is rising thanks to the financial protection given to consumers, the organisation claims.

It has seen 10 new members join in the last six months and believes operators are realising that consumers are placing more importance on protecting their money as the credit crunch bites.

It says the public recognises the AITO brand and has more faith in operators who are members, adding that despite present economic hardship, people feel holidays are still a necessity but they are more careful about which operators they choose to book through.

AITO chairman Derek Moore said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe economic situation has definitely made people think twice about with which companies they are booking their holidays. Because of a holidayÃ¢â¬â¢s importance to the household, people are becoming more cautious about where and how they book as they are fearful of losing their money.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœSome people consider that travelling with a tour operator is a quaint idea in this internet age but booking with an AITO member ensures travellers full financial protection and expert back-up should any problems arise.

"With recent high-profile airline collapses fresh in the mind, itÃ¢â¬â¢s not surprising that travellers want to use a reputable tour operator which provides a comfort blanket and which will shoulder the cost of any last-minute changes due to suppliers going out of business.Ã¢â¬~

The 10 new members are Bales Worldwide, Cadogan Holidays, CollettÃ¢â¬â¢s Mountain Holidays, Discover Adventure, Distinctive Americas, Fleewinter, ITC Classics, Silk Road & Beyond, Wendy Wu Tours and Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel.

By Dinah Hatch