Leading travel agents Thomson and First Choice have reported a surge in customers seeking advice and reassurance following the recent failures of holiday companies such as Kiss Flights, Goldtrail Holidays and Sun4U. It also reports an increase in people seeking to book their breaks with larger, well-established tour operators.

This trend is backed up by a recent survey* which showed 90% of British travellers are now more nervous about booking a holiday through a less well-known travel firm in the wake of recent collapses.

Kathryn Ward, Retail Director commented: “Whether they have already booked or are thinking of booking, customers are naturally concerned about their holidays in the current climate. Not only do they want to be sure that their holiday is ATOL protected, but they also want the reassurance of travelling with a larger, well known operator. They want to be confident that they will not be left with the stress of having to rearrange their holiday plans should the worst happen.

“ATOL protection can seem complicated, but Thomson and First Choice travel advisors are always on hand to offer all customers expert advice, regardless of whether or not they have booked with us.”

Sister companies, tour operators Thomson and First Choice reported a 12% year-on-year increase in recent trading as holiday makers look to travel with a well established holiday company. Thomson and First Choice are part of TUI UK whose parent company is TUI Travel PLC, the world’s largest travel group.

*According to a TripAdvisor survey of 2,664 online site users on August 19.