Member Article

Dawson & Sanderson helps customers affected by operator collapse

An independent travel agency based in the region is reassuring thousands of holidaymakers affected by the collapse of Holidays4U that their holidays will still go ahead.

Newcastle-based Dawson and Sanderson has promised to find alternative holidays for the 2,400 customers affected by the administration of the tour operator, which also traded as Aegean Flights.

The firm plans to use £750,000 of its own funds to pay for new holidays for people who had already planned their summer getaway.

Chris Pattison, managing director of Dawson & Sanderson, said: “Holidays4U have always provided good quality value for money holidays to Turkey and the Aegean, so it is sad for all concerned that they have failed.

“But as when holiday companies have collapsed in the past, we have always done our utmost to ensure all of our customers are quickly found an alternative holiday.”

It has been estimated that 12,000 holidaymakers already overseas will be affected, as well as a further 50,000 people with bookings. Many of these will receive refunds from the Civil Aviation Authority protection scheme.

People who have bought holidays from Dawson & Sanderson will be provided with an alternative vacation, instead of the typical procedure, which would require them to wait up to 6 months for a refund. The Air Travel Organiser’s Licensing Scheme will eventually reimburse Dawson & Sanderson.

Mr Pattison added: “When a tour operator collapses it’s extremely stressful not only for the customers but for our staff because they know they have to work very hard to find alternatives.

“ATOL protects most customers but they have to wait for their refunds. But by booking with Dawson & Sanderson, customers are guaranteed a new holiday.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .