ESSEX Trading Standards are offering holidaymakers some helpful tips to avoid having a holiday nightmare this summer.

Top tips include making sure bookings are covered by one of the protection schemes like the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), informing the travel company of any special requirements and ensuring the holiday is fully insured.

Another piece of advice Trading Standards are giving is to pay for your holiday or part of it over £100 on a credit card if possible as the card company may be jointly liable if things don’t go to plan.

Cllr Roger Walters, Essex County Council Lead Member for Trading Standards, said: “Summer holidays can be great but unfortunately they don’t always go to plan. There are a number of safeguards you can put in place to lower the risk of a ruined holiday including shopping around for good insurance and booking through a reputable provider. It is also important to remember to inform your travel operator of any special requirements before you travel.”

Tips to make your summer holiday trouble free

1. Check your booking is covered by one of the protection schemes such as the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) or the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO).  Ask the trader for their ATOL or ABTA number and check on the relevant schemes’ website

2. Make sure you tell the travel agent about any special requirements you have and ensure that these are listed on your booking form to avoid problems at the destination.

3. If you can you should pay for your holiday or part of it over £100 on credit card as the card company may be jointly liable if things don’t go to plan.

4. Ensure you have adequate travel insurance.  Shop around for the best price and don’t forget to tell them about any pre-existing conditions you may suffer from or anything else you think may invalidate the insurance.  Make sure you get cover listing those issues before you travel.

5. Check your rights. They will differ if you are an independent traveller compared to if you are travelling as part of a package holiday. 

Package holiday – your holiday must be:

  • Pre-arranged
  • Last longer than 24 hours or include overnight accommodation
  • Offered for sale at an inclusive price 

If you organised the holiday yourself e.g. booking flights, accommodation and services separately then you will probably be considered an independent traveller

6. If things do go wrong contact your travel representative, call your travel agent or operator and take pictures if appropriate.

7. When you’re booking your holiday let the travel agent or trader know of any special requirements you have and if possible get them added in writing to your booking form. 

8. Delayed? You can claim compensation if your flight is delayed by more than three hours.

9. Book early or late. You can get good deals last minute but also months in advance, shop around for the best deals. 

10. Consider different locations. Spain, Greece and France are all popular destinations which drives prices up. Consider Bulgaria or Croatia for a cheaper family holiday. 

If you need advice or guidance in relation to issues when booking holidays or advice when a holiday has not gone to plan call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, who handle calls for Trading Standards, on 03454 040506.