Independent operators have been praised for their flexible approach in allowing customers due to travel to Tunisia to change their plans – in contrast to the big two which have stood firm on their cancellation policies.
Operators cancelled all flights to Tunisia this week after violent anti-government protests prompted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to advise against “all but essential” travel.
Some independent operators are allowing customers with bookings to Tunisia to switch to another destination. However, Thomas Cook and Tui Travel have come under fire for applying standard 70% cancellation fees.
Explore sales director Carl Burrows said: “If people want to change destination, we will move them, we are fairly flexible.”
Nick McKay, managing director of agency Travel Designers, had a group of 15 due to travel to Tunisia in May with Club Med, which switched the booking to Italy. He said: “This is good for the independent sector. Who will the client book with next year – the operator who was helpful or the one who was obstructive?”
A Tui spokesman said: “The FCO has yet to provide a long-term plan for Tunisia. So a decision hasn’t been taken to cancel flights beyond January 23 and normal booking conditions will apply.”
Cook said it would continue to review the situation.
Other agents have told clients to hold off changing their plans. Peter Goord Travel owner Anthony Goord said: “If people did ask to change, we would say there is nothing you can do at this stage.”
Goord was confident bookings would return. “People have short memories if the price is right,” he added.
Jet2.com cancelled all flights to Tunisia for this summer, saying it didn’t want customers “to face the uncertainty over whether their holiday will go ahead as planned”.