Goldtrail up in Smoke!

It's happened again. Yet another tour operator supplying cheap as chips holidays goes to the wall.
Cheap holidays are NOT sustainable!
It was true 37 years ago with Clarkson Holidays, it happened with Excel more recently and now Goldtrail are the latest in what is an annual event it seems, with at least one failure of a CHEAP supplier going to the wall every summer.

I do not know when our Brit attitude to holidays is going to change, and what it is that will make it change, but change it must. This is not rocket science.  You get what you pay for and if you pay nothing you get nothing in return. Like NO holiday at all, or worse still a ruined one. 

For any of the 16,000 now stranded help is at hand thanks to the ATOL protection in place, so you will get back, but think about the actual cost of what you paid in relation to what you received. It may have been fantastic value. Was it realistic though? If you are being honest then no it was not, so what did you expect? Even if you insist it was, how much has it cost you to return home in stress, extra expense, and uncertainty?
A lot more than what you could have paid to buy a sensibly priced holiday with no hitches, that is for certain.

For those of you who have paid for a holiday yet to be taken I feel for you too. Yes, help is again at hand if you used a travel agent, if you did not then you are on your own. However, you will almost certainly now pay more if you decide to travel at all and you will only now be getting what no one else wants. If you decide against an overseas holiday at all then you must wait, and wait and wait for your money to be returned. Yes, it will be returned eventually, that is at least good news.

Despite what some think a holiday is still a luxury for most and should be chosen in the same way you would buy a new or good quality second hand car,with great care and attention to detail. Afterall a holiday can cost much the same as a new car these days particularly if you have a family to budget for.

Wise up people. Understand this. Travelling has always been and always will be a risky business with few certainties. Our society gives you protection sure, but no one can budget for incompetence. If it looks too good to be true then IT IS too good to be true. Do not leave things to chance, use a trusted source. Remember you have a choice always make sure you make the right choice is what I am saying.

I wish all those affected by this bad news well really, and if there is anything I can do to help you then please ask, but do not expect much sympathy. I will not give it as I am tired of the same old story, but I will give you sound advice and who konws I may even be able to find you a fantastic holiday you can actually enjoy and remember for years to come rather than misery.