ATOL protection: what it means when you book with GoToBeach
When you book a holiday, financial protection should be the part you never have to think about. GoToBeach is a trade mark of Caria Holidays Ltd, which holds ATOL licence 11211.
So when you book a flight-inclusive package with us, your money and your trip are protected under the UK's ATOL scheme, run by the Civil Aviation Authority. This page explains, in plain English, what that protection actually means for you.
What is ATOL protection?
ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser's Licence. It is a UK financial-protection scheme, run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), that covers customers who book flight-inclusive package holidays from a licensed operator. Its purpose is simple: if your travel company stops trading, you should not lose the money you paid or be left stranded abroad.
Every licensed operator — including Caria Holidays Ltd, which trades as GoToBeach — is bonded under the scheme, so that protected customers can be looked after if the worst happens. It is one of the strongest consumer protections in UK travel, and it is built into every flight-inclusive package we sell.
What ATOL protects you against
- 1A refund if your company fails before you travel. If GoToBeach (Caria Holidays Ltd) stopped trading before your departure, you would be entitled to a refund of the money you had paid for your protected package.
- 2Not being stranded if you're already abroad. If a company fails while you are on holiday, the ATOL scheme makes arrangements so that you can finish your trip and get home — you are not left to pay twice or find your own way back.
- 3A clear record of what's covered. You receive an ATOL Certificate when you book, setting out exactly which parts of your trip are financially protected.
Important: ATOL is not travel insurance
ATOL protects you against the financial failure of your travel company. It does not cover cancellation, medical costs, delays, lost baggage or disruption caused by anything other than an insolvent operator.
You should still take out a good travel insurance policy for your trip. ATOL and travel insurance do two different jobs — a properly protected holiday has both.
Your ATOL Certificate
When you book a flight-inclusive package with GoToBeach, you'll receive an ATOL Certificate. Keep it safe and check that everything you've booked is listed on it — flights, accommodation and any other protected services. If a part of your trip isn't shown on the certificate, it is not ATOL protected, so it's always worth reading it through.
Not every travel service is sold as a protected package, which is why we'll always tell you the level of financial protection that applies before you complete your booking. If you ever receive a certificate and something looks missing, just ask us — we'd far rather you were certain than assumed.
GoToBeach and ATOL 11211
GoToBeach is a trade mark of Caria Holidays Ltd, the company that holds our ATOL licence (number 11211) and that you contract with when you book a package holiday. Our flight-inclusive package holidays across Turkey, Greece, Malta, Morocco and Egypt are sold under this licence and are ATOL protected.
Please note that not all services offered on our website are ATOL protected — we will always confirm the protection that applies before you pay. For the full detail, see our booking conditions, and for more about the scheme itself you can visit the Civil Aviation Authority.
ATOL and the holidays on our blog
The hotels and resorts you read about on the GoToBeach blog can be booked as flight-inclusive package holidays — and when they are, they carry the same ATOL protection. If a guide has helped you decide, you can ask our team to turn it into a flight-inclusive package, with the applicable financial protection confirmed before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What does ATOL protection mean?
ATOL protection is a UK financial-protection scheme, run by the Civil Aviation Authority, that covers flight-inclusive package holidays booked from a licensed operator. In plain terms, it means that if your travel company stops trading, you won't lose the money you paid or be left stranded abroad. It protects the holiday financially; it does not cover cancellation, illness or delays, which is what travel insurance is for.
Is my GoToBeach holiday ATOL protected?
Yes — when you book a flight-inclusive package with GoToBeach it is ATOL protected. GoToBeach is a trade mark of Caria Holidays Ltd, which holds ATOL licence 11211, and our packages are sold under that licence. Not every service on our website is sold as a protected package, so we'll always confirm the level of financial protection that applies before you pay.
What is GoToBeach's ATOL number?
GoToBeach's ATOL number is 11211. GoToBeach is a trade mark of Caria Holidays Ltd, the licensed operator that holds the ATOL and that you contract with when you book a package holiday with us.
Does ATOL cover flight-only bookings?
ATOL is designed to protect flight-inclusive package holidays rather than stand-alone flights. Some flight-only arrangements can be protected in other ways, and some are not protected at all, so it depends on exactly what you book. We'll tell you the level of financial protection that applies to your booking before you complete it.
Is ATOL protection the same as travel insurance?
No — they protect you against completely different risks. ATOL protects you against the financial failure of your travel company; if GoToBeach (Caria Holidays Ltd) stopped trading, the ATOL scheme would make sure you weren't left out of pocket or stranded. Travel insurance is separate: it covers things like cancellation, medical emergencies, delays and lost baggage, none of which fall under ATOL. The two work side by side rather than overlapping.
What happens if a travel company stops trading?
If an ATOL-licensed travel company stops trading, the ATOL scheme steps in so that protected customers are looked after. If you haven't travelled yet, you're entitled to a refund of the money paid for your protected package; if you're already abroad, arrangements are made so you can finish your holiday and get home. This is the core promise of ATOL protection.
Do I still need travel insurance if my holiday is ATOL protected?
Yes — and it's worth arranging it early. ATOL protects you if your travel company fails financially, but it can't help with cancellation, illness, delays or lost baggage, so a separate travel insurance policy is essential. We recommend arranging travel insurance as soon as you book, not just before you travel, because cancellation cover usually applies from the day you buy the policy — so the sooner you're covered, the more it protects.