Coach Holidays Protected by CPT Scheme

LONDON, February 3 -- The Times reported on 3 February 2006 that "people who take coach holidays will no longer be protected in all cases if their travel agent goes bust". The report "Compensation blow over holiday cheats" outlined ABTA's changes to the rules for travel agents who act fraudulently.

The Bonded Coach Holiday Group (BCHG) is operated by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), the UK coach and bus trade body. BCHG manager, Karen Hudson, said. "The public need to be aware that, when they book a coach holiday through a travel agent, they should look for the BCHG roundel logo on the cover or inside of the coach tour operator's brochure. This indicates that the operator belongs to the DTI approved consumer protection scheme for the coach tourism industry operated by CPT."

Membership of the BCHG scheme ensures that, in the unlikely event that the tour operator ceases trading, passengers are protected and refund of monies paid is guaranteed.

A list of members can be found on the BCHG website at www.bondedcoachholidays.co.uk

Editors' Notes

A number of CPT members belong to a travel protection scheme called Bonded Coach Holidays.

The Bonded Coach Holiday Scheme is approved by the Department of Trade and Industry as satisfying the requirements of the Package Travel Regulations.

For further comment and information, please contact Karen Hudson, Bonded Coach Holidays Manager, on +44-(0)20-7240-3131