Goldtrail customers to return to UK (From This Is Lancashire)

Goldtrail customers to return to UK

4:08pm Sunday 18th July 2010 in

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The "vast majority" of Goldtrail customers who were on holiday when the tour operator collapsed should be back in the UK by Monday night, the Civil Aviation Authority has said.

Around 16,000 Britons were abroad when the Turkey and Greece specialist went into administration on Friday, while a further 2,000 were scheduled to fly from the UK over the weekend.

Authorities reassured holidaymakers they could claim back money lost on bookings while alternative flights were available through the Air Travel Organiser's Licensing (Atol) scheme, under which the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it had stepped in to protect customers by arranging to fly tourists home at the end of their holiday.

Claims can also be submitted to the aviation regulator for Goldtrail trips already booked while travel agents should be able to help people arrange alternative flights and accommodation.

Goldtrail, based in New Malden, Surrey, was described as a medium-sized independent operator which had been providing low-cost holidays for more than a decade.

A number of British travellers complained they had been told to pay for their hotels even though they had paid when they booked their holiday.

Lorraine Davies said the manager of her hotel in Turkey would not let her leave until she agreed to do so. She said: "He had my passport and he warned me he would keep it in the safe until I paid up. I looked around for help but my holiday rep had vanished."

The CAA advised customers who find themselves in that situation to contact its helpline because the Atol scheme protected them against paying again. The spokesman said: "Unfortunately they don't have schemes like this in Turkey so the hoteliers may not know about this. If this happens, ring us. We will contact the hotel and explain the situation and they shouldn't have to pay."

As the school holiday season gets under way, it is estimated 50,000 people booked to travel with Goldtrail could be affected over the summer months.

Goldtrail customers who are overseas can telephone the CAA helpline on 0044 203 441 0846. Passengers with bookings are advised to contact their travel agent in the first instance. They can also telephone the CAA helpline on 0844 856 2585.