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17/05/2005 | 11:32
Holidaymakers can now be safe in the knowledge that they can get home, even if their tour operator goes bust.
The government has proposed a new measure to secure funds for the repatriation of British travellers in the event of their travel company failing to provide the services promised.
A levy of up to £1 will be imposed on all package holidays, which will create a fund to protect travellers, the Guardian reports.
The move will be announced today in the Queen's speech, as a civil aviation bill to replenish the Air Travel Trust.
In 1991 the collapse of Harry Goodman's Air Europe left 25,000 holidaymakers stranded abroad, and the new bill is designed to recover the funds that have not been properly replaced since this event.
Travel agents are also appealing to have the fund's remit extended to cover scheduled airlines, which currently hold no obligation to protect customers.
"We hope the government will take the opportunity not only to place a discreet sum on existing bond holders but to extend the protection scheme to all airline," said a spokeswoman for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).
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