Legal protection for ME situation leading to cancellation

[Annna41]

I have an expensive long haul holiday booked for June with a specialist tour operator for the country I'm going to. Our balance is due soon and I'm starting to worry what protection we have if things go wrong (such as escalation in ME or jet fuel shortages). Our flights are avoiding the Middle East.
The agent is TTA and ATOL protected.
I have asked them and the response they gave was somewhat vague.
Does anyone know if the hotel money would be refunded if I physically cannot reach the destination? I'm assuming yes but would like conformation.

What does your travel insurance policy say?

I haven't booked insurance yet as I've only paid a small deposit but it won't cover for anything to do with war (none do). The refund would come from the agent, if at all.

I would be very surprised if the hotel refunded you any money it they’re still operating. From their point of view - the product they sold you is sitting there ready waiting for you - it’s not their issue that you can’t get there. Did you book your flight through the tour operator or separately? There must be alternative ways to fly to your destination unless it is in the Middle East?

Is it a package holiday? If so your travel agent should refund in full. Travel insurance unlikely to provide any cover but check your policy wording. More information here

www.abta.com/news/advice-middle-east-travel-disruption

The cancellation won’t be because of war though given you’re not going to the ME, it’ll be due to fuel shortages and will be covered.

Were you planning on taking out insurance anytime soon? What if you broke your leg and couldn’t travel - you’d lose all your money. People like you are nuts frankly!

You have to have a valid reason to cancel and get a refund from the agent. Not having insurance is stupid. You don’t have a reason to cancel at the moment and insurance tells you what’s excluded. Not fancying it doesn’t count.

You need insurance that covers the things you’re worried about. No one here can give any promises about what a company might or might not do.

The fuel shortages will be due to war, so could be potentially.
I haven't bought insurance yet because I haven't paid any money, apart from a small deposit. My husband has a life limiting condition so insurance will be more than the deposit.
Obviously if we pay for the holiday we will book insurance first, but thank you for your helpful input.

Yes it is booked as a package and it's what I'm thinking tok. It's very difficult to get anything confirmed by TTA and ATOL ATM as they're obviously busy but I will keep trying!

I absolutely do fancy it. Hence why I booked it. My concern is if I cannot reach my destination. And I am asking if the tour operator has a duty of care as I have booked a package.
See above for why I haven't booked insurance as yet.

I don’t think any insurance covers war does it?

well. Our PAX insurance did but that was because DH was military and covered us him being sent away so you know…that was less than ideal!

Is it ABTA registered or did you buy individual components? If the former the TO should refund if it cannot go ahead but tbh that seems unlikely if flights are not transiting the ME. You should book travel insurance asap.

Thank you. They are not ABTA but TTA and ATOL and I booked as a package. And yes I'm fairly happy the flights will be ok but there seems to be lots of information about fuel shortages over the summer.... hopefully just scaremongering!

Just for clarification I am asking about if the tour operator has a duty of care if the holiday cannot go ahead because part of the package fails and would they be responsible for any refund.

I'm concerned about this issue too. I do already have insurance but have booked components individually

I broke my arm, courtesy of our horse kicking me. This happened just two weeks before departure, I had to cancel the holiday. Fortunately I have travel insurance with a package of deals with my bank, so I’m covered from the day of booking. Before this I’d always purchase insurance as soon as I booked a holiday, anything can happen before you go 🤷‍♀️

Yes I think the insurance will wiggle out of it, claiming issues are war related. I'll be sure to pay for some of it on a credit card and hopefully have some protection under section 75.
I really hope your holiday goes ahead smoothly. When are you due to go?

Absolutely, but I've paid £200 deposit so far.
Insurance would be more than this so until I pay the balance it seems pointless if I'm not sure if I'm going to pay anymore of the holiday off.