Schools Worldwide, Expeditions, Fieldtreks, Explorer and Adventures for Schools Schools Worldwide, Expeditions, Fieldtreks, Explorer and Adventures for Schools

Financial Security

Schools Worldwide is fully licensed so you can book your holiday with us in confidence! You may find the following information about our licenses and associations useful:

ATOL Protected The ATOL is a statutory scheme - that is, a scheme based on a legal requirement for licensing, and it is managed by the Consumer Protection Group section of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. This licence, together with the associated Bonding, is renewed annually and tour operators are required to go through a rigorous inspection before it is renewed. The ATOL is designed to cover all package tours that involve flights from the UK. It was first introduced in 1972 and gives comprehensive consumer protection to 28 million people in the UK who buy flights or air holidays each year. ATOL is also the only protection scheme for flights and air holidays sold by tour operators in the UK.
IATA IATA is the Trade Association of the world's international airline industry. One of the many functions of IATA is their Agency programme. On behalf of their airline members, IATA approves and controls thousands of accredited passenger Agents worldwide. The vast majority of our air tickets are issued for flights on scheduled airlines and we therefore need to be an Accredited IATA Agent. To become an Accredited IATA Agent we have to demonstrate financial soundness, proficiency of staff and the suitability and security of our premises. To remain members, all Accredited Agents are required to undergo annual checks by IATA.
Aito AITO is an association of independently minded companies specialising in particular areas or types of holiday and sharing a common dedication to high standards of quality and personal service. AITO defines 'quality' as 'providing a level of satisfaction which, based upon the holiday information supplied by the tour operator, aims to meet or exceed a customer's reasonable expectations, regardless of the type of holiday sold or the price paid'. The charter is shown in full on the back of our brochure.
Aito Trust As a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, Schools Worldwide protects all UK customers who purchase tours that do not include flights from the UK through the AITO-arranged AITO Trust Ltd (AITOT). AITOT work closely with the CAA - they share much of their information. Their financial requirements are as rigorous as those of the CAA.