Thomson and First Choice have unveiled the second phase of their turn of year advertising campaign, which will focus on financial protection.
The new adverts, which will be featured both on television and in print, explain that ATOL-protected holidays are financially guaranteed under a government-backed scheme and invite customers to visit Thomson or First Choice shops for advice.
The television advert is similar to the one launched a week after the collapse of XL and is set in a high street shop with a travel agent from both First Choice and Thomson talking to the camera. The first airing of the TV advert will on Saturday January 10.
The print campaign draws attention to the fact that scheduled and budget airlines are not ATOL protected. It will use the two straplines ‘Do-It-Yourself holidays, otherwise known as if-your-airline-goes-bust-you’re on-your-own holidays” and ‘No frills, No Guarantees. Budget airlines don’t ATOL protect their flights. We do’.
Customer director Tim Williamson, said: “It was important to us to take a more aggressive stance on this issue, so that people understand the risks. While there is some awareness of ATOL, 20 million British holidaymakers will make unprotected travel arrangements this year.
“If they know the facts and choose to do so, that is their prerogative. Our aim is not to scare consumers, but to reassure them that they can still get value for money and a wide range of holidays without having to worry whether their money is safe”.