Britain’s Tour Operators Add Substantial Fuel Surcharges

The cost of a family holiday has increased by up to £160 for customers choosing two of the UK’ largest tour operator, who have imposed a substantial fuel surcharge. Thomas Cook and Thomson introduced the changes due to the rising cost of oil, according to The Telegraph, who also adds that the cost of goods and services are also likely to go up, as the costs are passed onto retail consumers.

Thomas Cook, which carries six million holidaymakers every year, will increase the cost of traveling immediately, a move which effects to all the company’s brands: Thomas Cook, Airtours, Sunset, Manos, Club 18-30 and Neilson. A surcharge of £40 per person has been added to holidays that last more than seven hours, resulting in extra costs of £160 for a family of four.

"In recent years, people have become used to taking two or three foreign breaks a year, but I think that is coming to an end. We may well see a return to just one fortnight overseas. However, it is not always cheaper to take a holiday in Britain. We know that accommodation prices rise as soon as the schools break up. You also have to factor in the high cost of eating out," said Rochelle Turner, from Which? Travel.

The move by the two companies could be followed by other leading operators in weeks to come, in an effort to hedge again the political instability in Libya, which is a major oil producer.

Airlines are also considering such measures, as last week Willie Walsh, the chief executive of IAG (the company that resulted from the merger of British Airways and Iberia) warned the cost of flying looked set to rise.