Financial Protection - Book With Confidence

From the moment you book your tour with us to your safe return you can be sure that we have the highest levels of cover to make sure that your tour is safe and financially protected.

Why Book with a School Tour Operator?

It is possible to organise your school trip independently.   However, it is important to understand that you are then completely responsible for all health and safety aspects of the trip as well as financially liable should anything change. If schools arrange their own bookings for transport, accommodation and other services, under the package travel regulations, they could assume all of the responsibilities of a travel company – both legal and financial.

The package travel regulations state that a travel firm is responsible for sorting out any problems and making sure that if the trip cannot go ahead for any reason either an alternative is offered or a full refund provided. In addition, if the travel company goes out of business before the trip starts pupils will get their money back and, where the trip included transport, will be brought home at no additional cost if they are already away.

Using a tour operator such as European Study Tours you’ll have the reassurance of our externally verified Safety Management System (SMS), which exactly matches the Department for Education and Scottish Executive’s recommendations. You will also be in the safe knowledge that you’ll be covered from the moment you book to your safe return. We are fully committed to providing the necessary financial protection through our ABTA and ATOL bonds. 

School Travel Forum spokeswoman Gill Harvey said:

 “While organising a school trip can be seen by some education providers as stressful and time consuming, there are ways to streamline the process and recruit third party help to ensure the trip runs smoothly.''

“Booking with an STF member, which is also an ABTA member, will provide teachers and parents alike with the confidence of a safe and successful trip.”

ABTA

European Study Tours is fully bonded by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA V4053) which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide financial protection for your money when you buy a package holiday.

ATOL

The Civil Aviation Authority says: “It is important for schools to appreciate the protection they have under ATOL and ensure that they insist on ATOL protection every time they book.”  Our license number is 3215 and you can check our details by visiting ATOL.

Some of the flights and flight-inclusive trips on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all trips and travel services on this website. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each trip and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. Guidance specifically for schools and colleges can be found here https://www.atol.org/about-atol/guidance-for-the-education-sector/

For more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate visit ATOL.