Adventure travel operator Activities Abroad has slammed the move by some tour operators to impose surcharges on their clients this summer.
Managing director Alistair McLean said it was unfair to surcharge due to currency fluctuations.
“We weren’t dashing to offer a refund when the going was good, so it hardly seems reasonable that we should start penalising clients when it goes the other way,” he said.
“We should stand firm against surcharging and accept that there will be years when currency exchange does not go in our favour. In a year when it is widely reported that the family holiday will be the first luxury to be cut, then what sort of message are we sending to people by imposing surcharges?”
He said companies should offer clients the opportunity to cancel if they do not wish to pay the surcharge.
“Now is a time to nurture clients and not alienate them,” he added.