For those Brits who are considering doing a DIY or ‘do-it-yourself’ holiday without assistance from an ATOL protected travel operator are being warned about the risks involved.

Many people are tempted to book their flights, accommodation and car hire separately and directly themselves, however, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has warned that this may mean they will not be covered by the CAA’s ATOL scheme.

ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licensing protection scheme and it means that when you book your holiday with the assistance of an ATOL protected company, usually indicated at the bottom of a company’s website or brochure, you are protected from things such as losing money abroad or being stranded abroad if your travel company goes bankrupt.

David Clover, a spokesperson for ATOL, was quoted as saying:

“ATOL spokesman David Clover commented: “Holiday purchases are still a significant household purchase so we want consumers to make informed choices about financial protection. We must also emphasise to those building their own holidays that they may not be protected against the risks of travel company insolvency.”

Consumers are also advised to ensure that they book travel insurance, which offers added protection against insolvency.