I’M amazed some tour operators, big and small, are not clearly warning their clients of the unknown risks involved with holidays over the millennium period due to problems which may occur due to the millennium bug.
The attitude seems to be ‘it’s worth the risk, look at the money we can make’.
I believe tour operators will effectively be sending clients into the unknown if they operate holidays at this time.
Unicorn Holidays has been looking at the problem since 1997. We came to the conclusion in 1998 that it would be irresponsible for us to send any of our clients away for the period December 31 1999 to January 7 2000, as we could not quantify the risk.
As far as we can see, after thorough checks, no insurance company will give 100% cover for the risks involved with millennium bug problems, either for travellers or for tour operator’s liability insurance. I understand that despite any let-out clause in booking conditions, clients may still be able, in certain circumstances, to sue their tour operator with regard to problems that may arise due to the millennium bug as it is a known risk.
How many operators are explaining clearly to their clients, rather than just adding a new clause to the small print of their booking conditions, that insurance will not cover any problem caused by a year 2000 computer malfunction?
We are advising our clients to stay close to home.
Jim Southon
Managing director
Unicorn Holidays
Wheathampstead
Hertfordshire