Tour Operators reluctant to include fuel supplements in prices

TOUR operators are refusing to include fuel supplements in the main price of holidays in the hope oil prices may fall.

As another round of hikes comes into force, with supplements of some of the big four travel companies now hitting £45, operators hope the price of oil will drop after reaching an all-time high of more than $66 a barrel this week.

If prices come down, operators have pledged to cut supplements – a move they claim would be harder if charges were included in prices.

First Choice Holidays was the first to increase supplements last week, followed by Thomas Cook on Monday, MyTravel today and Thomson Holidays on Saturday.

First Choice Holidays increased short haul supplements from £16 to £20, while mid and long-haul supplements have risen by £5 to £30 and £45 respectively. Sales director Martin Froggatt said: “The fact we won’t include supplements in the brochure shows we believe the price of oil will come down.”

The charges would stay for the foreseeable future, he added.

Thomas Cook increased its fuel supplements from £20 to £25 for short haul, from £25 to £30 for short haul plus, which includes destinations such as Turkey and Egypt, while the cost of long haul has risen from £35 to £45.

A spokeswoman said: “Where the price of consumables increases in business, ultimately there will be some cost to the customer.”

TUI UK retail and commercial director Derek Jones said £5 increases would come into play tomorrow bringing short-haul supplements to £25 and long haul to £45.