Consumers recognise the risk of fraud in the travel industry but are more concerned over travel company collapses in the current economic climate.
Of the 2,087 members of the public interviewed face to face by market research company TNS Travel and Tourism earlier this month, two-thirds said they will only book through a well-known company they can trust, while 60% would ensure their operator has an ATOL bonding in a bid to safeguard their bookings.
Eight out of 10 think the travel industry is no more of a target for fraudsters than any other, with just 7% claiming fraud is more likely to occur in travel. They seem unaware of the 400,000 British holidaymakers hit by travel scams every year.
Only 12% have experienced financial issues with a holiday or flight booking 15% of those had booked with an agent and 21% had booked direct online with either a hotel, airline or tour operator.
TNS head of travel and tourism Tom Costley said: “Fraud appears to be much less of a concern for travellers than the possible implications of a holiday company or airline encountering financial problems that could lead to changes to their holiday plans or, at worst, financial loss.”