There has been an “unprecedented” surge in the number of applications to join the Atol protection scheme following the collapse of XL Leisure Group.
That is according to the Triton Travel Group, which said that it took more than 300 calls and enrolled 60 additional members to the scheme last week alone.
The rise in popularity is being put down to the fact that people who book with an Atol-protected firm are guaranteed compensation in the event of an airline or travel operator going bust.
XL’s collapse in September left some 80,000 British holidaymakers stranded in 40 destinations around the globe, as well as voiding a further 200,000 forward bookings.
While the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was quick to facilitate return journeys for all affected passengers, only those who booked with an Atol-protected operator were guaranteed free travel.
Commenting on the renewed focus on the scheme among operators, Triton spokesman Jason Edwards said: “The surge in interest is clearly down to the demise of XL.”
