A Blythe Bridge based travel agent has moved to plug a hole in consumer protection to ensure its customers� money is secure regardless of how or with which operators they book their holiday.

Grindley Lane�s Sunclub International has just relaunched its website � www.sunclub.co.uk � to allow sunseekers to create their own perfect break. The site lets them choose from a menu of low cost, scheduled and charter flights, discounted hotels, villas and apartments worldwide , car hire and overseas airport transfers . They can book and pay securely on line.

However because the consumer protection rules are complex and have loopholes which can affect such �DIY breaks� Sunclub is providing insurance to protect against the financial failure of any supplier booked through the firm. The move comes as the travel industry is being hit hard by the economic downturn and follows the recent collapse of the XL Leisure Group which highlighted the scale of consumer protection confusion as thousands of travellers discovered they weren�t protected under the ABTA or ATOL schemes.

�Travel industry consumer protection has failed to keep pace with changes in technology and people�s desire to create packages which suit their needs rather than that of a tour operator,� commented Ian Thirlwall, managing director of Sunclub�s parent company, The Apartments Abroad Travel Group. �As a result there is an unfortunate mix of confusion and loopholes. ATOL bonding is expensive so for many travel companies if they can avoid it they will, even if it leaves clients exposed. Given the confusion we thought that if Sunclub is to offer its customers the ability to create their own packages by booking with suppliers they themselves choose, we should offer belt and braces financial protection. That�s why we are not just ABTA bonded and sell some ATOL protected flight, but also include Financial Failure Insurance Cover at no extra cost on all travel components booked through us.�

The new website features over 30 UK departure airports � including Birmingham, Coventry, East Midlands and Manchester - flights offered by over 20 airlines and hotels, apartments, villas, farmhouse and townhouses in over 100 countries worldwide. The financially protected dynamic packaging service is also open to telephone callers (01782 397750) and visitors to the Blythe Bridge agency.

Editor�s Note: Sunclub International is a long established (1994) and totally independent retail travel agency and a member of The Apartments Abroad Travel Group which was founded in 1991 to serve the UK travel trade but now also retails direct and handles the overseas accommodation requirements of around 100,000 Britons annually.

-Ends-

Issued on behalf of: The Apartments Abroad Travel Group, Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9JS Contact: Ian Thirlwall T: 01782 385312 E: ian@apartmentsabroad.com

Andy Loynes, Pure Marketing Communications. T: 0161 280 1433 / 07855 345108 E: andyl@puremarketingcommunications.co.uk