Ocean Holidays has left the Travel Trust Association (TTA) after more than 20 years of membership and is using the Atol held by Hays Travel’s in-house tour operator.
The move, communicated to trade partners and clients by letter, comes as part of an “ongoing strategic review”.
Since December 11, Ocean Holidays has supplied its Ocean Florida and Winged Boots products through Vista’s Atol number via membership of the Hays Travel Independence Group.
Bookings made before that date but yet to travel are now protected by the TTA Travel licence and operated by TTA Travel.
The transition reflects “both a commercial decision and a strategic move to streamline certain administrative responsibilities, enabling the group to focus on growth and enhancing the customer experience across its portfolio”.
Ocean Holidays co-founder Harry Hastings said: “We’ve been fortunate to have had the invaluable support of the TTA for more than 20 years, during which we’ve grown into one of the UK’s leading independent, owner-managed tour operators.
“The timing and market conditions make it the ideal moment for this next phase of our journey.”
He added that accommodation provider Ocean Beds would “remain outside the Hays Travel Independence Group structure”.
In a letter to trade partners with existing bookings, Hastings confirmed Ocean Holidays would start operating under Hays Tour Operating Ltd’s Atol (10531).
He wrote: “Your customer’s booking is currently financially protected by Ocean Holidays’ TTA Atol licence number T7523, but from December 11, 2024, their booking will be transferred and protected directly by the TTA under Atol T7173.
“Upon the transfer of their booking, they will continue to benefit from full consumer protection and security, and you can be reassured that their booking will remain completely protected under the Atol scheme.
“We want to reassure you that every detail of your customer’s holiday remains exactly the same. There is no change in cost and their booking will remain fully financially protected.”
Gary Lewis, chief executive of The Travel Network Group, which operates the TTA, said: “Ocean Holidays has been a valued member of the TTA for over 20 years, and it has been a pleasure working alongside their team as they’ve grown and developed within the industry.”