Tour operator Diamond Shortbreak Holidays goes bust cancelling trips for thousands of holidaymakers
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THOUSANDS of British holidaymakers have had their holidays cancelled after a short break tour operator has gone bust.
Diamond Shortbreak Holidays Ltd has ceased trading yesterday due to financial difficulties, travel trade organisation Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said.
![Around 16,000 people have had their holidays cancelled as a result of the firm going bust [file photo]](http://mcb777.site/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nintchdbpict000273890724.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The Leicestershire-based tour operator sold holidays to destinations around the UK and other European locations, although it is believed that none of its customers are currently abroad.
It also sold holidays under the name of The River Line Cruise.
Around 16,000 holidaymakers who had booked non-flight-based package holidays, such as coach or rail trips, are financially protected through ABTA.
These kind of holidays formed the majority of the company's business.
A smaller number of customers with flight-based trips are protected through the Civil Aviation Authority's Atol scheme and should contact the CAA for a refund.
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Those who booked through a travel agent will need to speak to them directly about a refund.
Customers may also be able to get a refund from their credit card lender or debit card provider, depending on how they paid for the trip.
A spokesperson from ABTA said: "This is clearly going to be very worrying for the thousands of holidaymakers who have booked with the company.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE AFFECTED
IF you're a customer of Diamond Shortbreak Holidays Ltd, which includes The River Cruise line, then you holiday will not go ahead.
If you made a booking through a travel agent then you need to contact your agent for advice.
Anyone who made a booking directly with the company which included a flight will need to contact the to claim a refund.
Anyone who booked another type of holiday can contact the for advice about claiming a refund. You may have to go to your bank or credit card provider to claim - but ABTA will advise.
Small travel firm Arena Travel confirmed today this it has acquired The River Cruise Line and Diamond Rail Holidays brands.
It aims to provide the same rail or river cruise holiday on the same date for as many of the 5,000 customers who booked for next year.
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"Everyone booked on packages will get a refund on the money they have paid, in some cases this may be through their bank or credit card company and we will give them a letter, which will make any claim straightforward.
"Customers who need more help can contact our claims team on 0203 758 8743.
"A small number of customers with flight based holidays will be protected through the ATOL scheme and should contact the CAA."
The firm has been offering holidays in the UK and Europe for 19 years. It employed 552 staff in the UK and a further 26 overseas.
Rival firms - including Saga, Cosmos Tours and Emerald Waterways - have all offered affected customers a discount on future bookings.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN BOOKING A HOLIDAY
HERE's how to protect yourself when booking a holiday:
- If you book a package holiday then check that it is protected under the Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL scheme. This way you'll be flown home if your airline or travel operator goes bust - or get a refund if this happens before you leave.
- If you're booking through a tour operator or travel agents then check that they belong to ABTA. If things go wrong it means your money is protect and they'll investigate any complaints on your behalf.
- Pay by credit card. If something goes wrong then you'll be protected under the Consumer Credit Act - as long as you spend more than £100 and less than £30,000.
- Pay by debit card. There's no legal protection, unlike paying by credit card. But some banks will refund you under the chargeback scheme. There's no minimum spend and you've got up to 120 days to make a claim through your bank.
- Pay via PayPal. Then you should be covered by its buyer protection scheme - you must claim within 180 days of paying.
For more information read our guide to protecting yourself if your travel agent goes bust.
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