The recent demise of the XL Group, a major UK travel company with its own airline and trading under established brands such as Kosmar and Medlife Hotels is an unnerving event for all holidaymakers. With over 20 airlines ceased trading in the past year, how can we be sure that we will not be placed in a similar situation of loss when we book with any travel company or airline?
It is interesting that the statement on the XL group's website said: "The companies entered into administration having suffered as a result of volatile fuel prices, the economic downturn, and were unable to obtain further funding." In a comment from rival holiday firm TUI, it is clear that the industry mandarins are warning that due to rising fuel prices, and less money available from banks due to lending restrictions brought on by the credit crunch "airlines with less than robust business models" - such as XL - were now failing. Clearly the mandarins of the bigger holiday companies are clear that their business models are indeed robust, and we should believe them of course.
But clearly, company size is not everything - XL was actually the 3rd largest operator in the UK - and so it is important always to understand what financial protection is available in the event that the worst happens and your holiday company fails.
In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority oversees the ATOL licensing system whereby any operator or airline offering holidays by air pays into a bonding scheme based on its business turnover. Funds thus generated are used to repatriate holidaymakers, or refund money paid in advance for such bonded holidays. It seems even more important in these difficult times, to make sure that you ensure every element of your holiday is ATOL protected.
However, it is important to know that this scheme is no a "catch-all", when a holidaymaker has booked a "flight only" or a flight and accommodation separately. In the XL demise, it is estimated that more than 10,000 people were not ATOL protected because they booked separate flights and accommodation or flights only. In these days of do-it-yourself holiday packaging via separate bookings via the internet, this situation is unlikely to improve unless legislation changes.
Many consumer rights groups are vociferous in their demands that the Government should take steps to ensure all holiday companies must belong to the ATOL scheme, which offers package holiday makers financial protection. However, it is difficult to see how a scheme run via the Civil Aviation Authority should be able to cover elements of a holiday such as hotels which are purchased separately and are not in an "Aviation" remit.
Because such "Do-It-Yourself" holidays aren't protected by the ATOL scheme, it is important to think about alternative protection. Examples are:
Book with a credit card: But be careful here, because you still might not be covered. You must spend at least £100 on each element of the holiday - and charge cards or debit cards do not offer any protection.
Take out travel insurance: Look for policies which cover against holiday company or holiday provider insolvency. However, it is vital to check the small print, as many policies don't include this cover.
And also remember the important fact that you can only be covered for the component of your holiday that's gone out of business. You can't claim for the others and so you will need to rebook the missing element - possible at a higher price, or possibly with difficulty of any availability at all.
Sometimes, it seems much easier to book a complete package supplied by a single ATOL bonded operator - but taking these few small steps will at least ensure you have the same financial protection outside the scheme, even if you are more "on your own" in the event of a business failure.
Cheap holidays to Benidorm have always been popular with British tourists, come summer. Aside from the ?sun, sea and sangria?, folks looking to book package holidays to Costa Blanca (the region that Benidorm can be found), there's actually a whole lot of tourist attractions for those that (for some reason!) want a break from the relentless sand and pubs.
Here's a list of some of the top attractions surrounding Costa Blanca for you to check out on your cheap holiday to Benidorm:
Algar Falls
These stunning natural waterfalls have the distinction of being the most beautiful of the attractions surrounding Costa Blanca. The falls? and springs fall into glorious pools where you can enjoy a dip in the warm waters. The area is designed to be visited and has nearby features including a railway museum, barbecues and bars. For those that love natural beauty, this is a must-visit on a cheap holiday to Benidorm.
Canelobre Caves
Running the waterfalls close for aesthetic appeal are the stunning natural caves near Busot. The Canelobre Caves are a Benidorm attraction, really worth spending an afternoon visiting on your package holiday to Costa Brava. Walking tours leave fairly regularly, and the cave is sometimes used for concerts, which creates a wonderful atmosphere.
Submarine Trips
Every hour, submarine trips run off the coast of Benidorm. This attraction consists of a sub aquatic catamaran (like a normal one, with an underwater deck for clear visitibility) to Benidorm Island. As well as the marine life, the island you eventually reach is a wildlife haven with a huge variety of birds, ensuring that nature lovers have something to see both during the trip and upon reaching the destination.
Aqualandia
Aqualandia is a typical example of waterparks on the continent ? inevitably better than ours thanks to the consistently wonderful weather! Aqualandia is, of course, fantastic for families with children, but has enough water based fun to ensure that everyone will find something to their tastes. Those looking to visit this Benidorm attraction (it's right in the town centre) are promised great excitement in their water entertainment with Niagra, the Big Bang and Kamikaze all pleasing thrillseekers alongside more sedate options for the very young or very timid demographic.
Mundomar Marine and Exotic Animal Park
For those that prefer their waterparks to be less about queing and water wings, the Mundomar Marine Exotic Animal Park may be just the ticket. This Costa Blanca attraction boasts an impressive variety of animal facilities with a bat cave, a dolphinarium and a parrot show alongside some of the more popular zoo animals ? penguins, lions and flamingos. Perhaps the best part of the place though is the galleon. As well as being pretty exciting in its own right, this allows visitors to see a whole different world under the water's surface. Anyone on a package holiday to Costa Blanca with family (or just those who love animals) would do well to check this out.
Terra Mitica
For those who want a straight-up theme park without the water obsession (afterall, the beach has enough of that!), Terra Mitica may be the place for you to visit on your cheap holiday to Benidorm. The attraction is themed around ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean (Greek, Roman and Egypt), but the rides are some of the most up to date in Spain. You know the drill with a theme park ? it has the usual speed, excitement and thrills you'd expect, and with the guaranteed sunshine of the region, this Benidorm attraction is definitely worth a punt.
Safari Parks (Aitana and Vergal)
For those who prefer not to see their animals behind bars, there are two safari parks for those enjoying package holidays in Costa Blanca. The attractions are both outside Benidorm, but both under an hour's drive away. The first, Aitana, is located near the village of Sella and has an impressive selection of wild animals, including tigers, elephants and lions. There is a children's zoo for the smaller family members as well as a nursery (guaranteed to raise cooing noises) where newborn animals are nurtured.
The second is an auto safari park a little further than Ondara. As you drive through the park, you'll see lions, leopards and wolves roaming free. There's also an area with less fierce animals ? pigs and ponies, to name but two ? as well as some unrelated activities, including go karts, a children's play area and a mini train. Both of these attractions around Costa Blanca are well worth a look ? especially for those with youngsters enthusiastic about animals.
Cactuslandia
Finally there's a park for the cactus lovers in all of us. 3000 square metres of gardens with over 1000 different species of tropical plant. Alongside the spikey green cacti, there are other tropical plants, including mango trees, guava trees, bananas and papayas. For those who want to escape the sun, the Costa Blanca attraction also hosts a Natural History Museum which houses a large collection of insects, fossils, coral and more.
With so many attractions surrounding Costa Blanca, the only worry is that you'll spend your entire day's budget before the first club opens its door!
Both Jimi St Pierre & Daniel Eyre are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jimi St Pierre has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Jimi St Pierre, in collaboration with travel correspondent Penny Church writes for several Travel Companies in the UK, including Airport parking and Hotels specialist