Information about our tours - Peace of Mind & Quality of Service

Explore is a fully bonded Tour Operator licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and by AITO Trust Ltd. We hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 2595). When you buy an ATOL protected air inclusive holiday* from us you will receive a confirmation invoice confirming your arrangements and your protection under our ATOL. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk
Where you book a “land only” tour with us, the arrangements we have contracted to provide will be protected by AITO Trust Ltd (providing they were purchased in the UK or direct from Explore if purchased outside the UK). This means that either i) your money will be refunded, or ii) if you are already abroad, you will be returned to your departure point.
*The air inclusive holidays we arrange are ATOL protected as long as either i) the person who pays for the booking is present in the UK when the booking is made, or ii) the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you commences in the UK.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice Unit (www.fco.gov.uk/travel) provides detailed information about your destination. We strongly recommend that you read their comments about the country you are planning to visit; both when you book and again just before you leave. We monitor FCO travel warnings and advice and based on them, may cancel tours before departure, or re-route or make other changes to tours operating in or through the country concerned. Any decision we take about whether to operate or cancel a tour or make other changes will always be made in the interests of your safety and security. We will make these decisions at least four weeks before departure, unless we believe that local conditions will improve before the start of the tour.

Be prepared

Whilst we endeavour to provide as much information as possible in our brochure and individual Trip Notes regarding the areas our tours travel to, we would always recommend that you undertake some background research about the places you will be visiting and the type of climate and local conditions you can expect to get the most out of your holiday.

AITO Quailty Charter

The Association of Independant Tour Operators

AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.

• Exclusive Membership - AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.
• Financial Security - An AITO member is required to arrange financial protection for all holidays and other arrangements (including accommodation only) booked by customers with the member under the AITO logo. This financial protection applies to customers who are resident in the UK at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. In doing so, the member must comply with UK Government regulations. Members are required to submit details of their financial protection arrangements to AITO on a regular basis.
• Accurate Brochures/Web Sites - All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.
• Professional Service and Continual Improvements - All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.
• Monitoring Standards - AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a postholiday questionnaire, the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.
• Sustainable Tourism - All members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Sustainable Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 to 5 star status. Explore have achieved 5 star status.
• Customer Relations - All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.
  Explore is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. To contact the association visit www.aito.co.uk or call 020 8744 92
  
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