Holiday Options collapse sparks fears more travel firms will go under

A company that specialised in holidays to the Mediterranean has collapsed, leading to renewed fears that more tour operators will go bust this winter as people hit by the recession save money by foregoing their winter break.

Holiday Options had more than 1,000 bookings for this winter and next summer when it went into administration last week, but all of its customers will be looked after by Cambridge-based tour operator Light Blue Travel.

A message on Light Blue Travel's website, www.lightbluetravel.co.uk, says it will be writing to Holiday Options' customers within the next few weeks to advise them of the change.

It says that all holidays will remain exactly as booked, but customers seeking immediate clarification can contact email the company at sales@lightbluetravel.co.uk or call on 01223 568904.

Holidaymakers who had planned to book with the now defunct Holiday Options but had not yet done so can find an identical holiday with Light Blue Travel, which features many of the same destinations and properties as Holiday Options.

Travel industry analysts fear there could be further tour operator failures over the next few months following a recent report that suggested Britons made 10 million fewer overseas trips last year.

The Overseas Travel and Tourism Statistical Bulletin said that there was a 14 per cent drop in travel and the slump is expected to continue through the winter due to the twin effects of the recession and increases in air passenger duty.

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