Financial security

We are an ATOL bonded tour operator authorised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Every holiday we sell that includes a flight element is protected under our ATOL licence number 10544. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advanced booking.

ATOL

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

ABTOT

For holidays which do not include flights arranged by us, your booking will be protected by our membership of ABTOT (No. 5199). The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for The Natural Travel Collection t/a Dive Worldwide 5199, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following:

1. non-flight packages and
2. accommodation only bookings; 

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package.  Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with The Natural Travel Collection t/a Dive Worldwide.

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call ABTOT’s 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here.

Am I still protected if I book my own flights direct?

It is impossible for us to outline every scenario and situation that could possibly affect your holiday arrangements. As an example, however, we have outlined below our policy that applied when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland erupted in 2010, which caused disruption to airline services and subsequently impacted on thousands of holidays.

While this is our overall policy it is worth noting that we are a small company that places a priority on personal care and attention, so every situation is dealt with on a case by case basis. Our advice is that you book all arrangements through us to ensure your maximum protection. Our priority is to ensure minimal delay and inconvenience to our customers. And since we are fully bonded with the CAA and ABTOT we are obliged to deliver components of packages booked through us.

Should you wish to book your own flights direct you will not be covered by our ATOL bonding. If everything goes to plan then this is not a problem, however if there are disruptions to your holiday plans for whatever reason (volcano eruption, strikes, delay that results in missing boat or flight connections etc), then we are not responsible and it will be down to you to resolve your situation independently.

As an example of how a disruption is typically managed, please read on…

Our specific policy for the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption

If you have yet to travel

Flight inclusive packages

If you have booked a flight inclusive package through us then you can rest assured that we will monitor the situation constantly and liaise with relevant airlines. There is really nothing we can do until an airline cancels a flight; but in that event we will offer to re-book an equivalent holiday at no additional cost to you.

Flight exclusive packages

If you have booked land only arrangements with us (ie: you have booked a holiday but arranged your own international flights), it is your responsibility to check with the airline/agent you booked with and keep us informed of the situation. If the airline you booked with cancels your flight, please inform us in writing and we will do our best to offer the option to transfer to the same holiday at a later date (dependent on any overseas costs incurred for the booking). If this is not suitable, we will offer to refund any recoverable costs.

If you are returning from overseas

Flight inclusive packages

If you have booked a flight inclusive package through us, we will work with our airline partners and ground suppliers to make logistical arrangements and ensure that any ensuing delays are minimised. We will offer contribution or assistance towards accommodation and subsistence. If you booked a flight inclusive package through us but then decide to travel home by any method other than the original airline booked, we will not be able to cover any costs arising and any travel arrangements you make are at your own expense and risk.

Flight exclusive packages

If you have booked land only arrangements with us (ie: you have booked a holiday but arranged your own international flights), please check with the airline/agent you booked with and keep us informed of the situation. Our local suppliers/team will do everything we can to assist, but you are responsible for making your return arrangements and will be liable for your own subsistence expenses. Please note that we cannot assist with booking flights or transport for land only clients stranded overseas.

Please also note that should you wish to book your own flights direct you will not be covered by our ATOL bonding. If everything goes to plan then this is not a problem, however if there are disruptions to your holiday plans for whatever reason (volcano eruption, strikes, delay that results in missing boat or flight connections etc), then we are not responsible and it will be down to you to resolve your situation independently.

If you are booking land only it is your sole responsibility to ensure that you arrive at the joining point for the contracted arrangements in good time before these commence. No refunds will be provided in respect of any unused services contracted as a result of any delayed arrival. Similarly our contractual obligations cease at the end of your contracted arrangements.

Financial Protection Booking Terms

We hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 10544).

When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us, you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.

We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable).

If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit, you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent or your credit card issuer where applicable. You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

The Civil Aviation Authority can be contacted at Gatwick Airport South, West Sussex, RH6 0YR, UK; tel +44 (0)333 103 6350; e-mail claims@caa.co.uk; or by visiting their website: www.caa.co.uk

Please note: Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme *The air inclusive holidays and flights we arrange are ATOL protected providing they are made available in the UK. 

For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for The Natural Travel Collection Limited (membership number 5099), and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:

Non-flight packages

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package.  Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with The Natural Travel Collection Limited. 

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents

For further information visit the ABTOT website at www.abtot.com.