... Great weekend and an amazing time, I can highly recommend the whisky tour. Thanks for a great time StagWeb ...Ian Palmer, 04/05/2012
StagWeb special international report - 19th August 2010
Europe is a massive pull for top quality stag experiences, the reasons are numerous and they are often legendary events but they need to be prepared well. Done properly you will have an amazing time, enjoying fantastic events, generous nightlife, excellent ground services and superb support. Done badly and well ... you know the rest.
be smart ... book smart ...
With the economy as it is and travel being largely unregulated, in our experienced opinion, you should only ever travel with a bonded company that can ensure you and the boys are financially protected. It's especially important if you're making decisions for other people and means you can easily justify your choices in picking a better quality supplier, (in StagWeb's case we're always likely to be close on price but there's no comparison on value - just look at our testimonials). They might not even notice initially but they'd definitely let you know how they felt if things go wrong. Why put yourself in that position?!
gold standard guarantees & better commercial practice ...
"... A great service from a superb company! Made my job as best man simple whilst making me look like an organisational genius! Will recommend to every future best man I know! ..."
Besides which it follows that appropriately bonded companies are pretty much guaranteed to be more committed to your travel experience. They have to report financially to their body (eg ABTA), both quarterly and annually. They have to uphold and regularly maintain the highest standards, the list goes on. The two essential bodies for travel protection are ABTA - The Travel association and ATOL.
dropzone ... companies falling a long way short ...
Most companies avoid bonding because it costs thousands of pounds and they're not prepared to make that investment for their customers, and it may also be likely they cannot meet the commercial standards required by the bonding organisations. Did you know that a lot of companies contravene the package travel regulations aswell as ignoring the distance selling regulations, not a great starting point for a reliable business you might think. For example you'll find many companies won't have a proper address or company registration number on their site. Some sites even have a premium rate (eg 0870) telephone number and a PO Box address! If they're doing this already do you really think they're going to make you and your group a priority or deliver the service you deserve. Our guess is no, their priority is the shortest route to any profit with little or no client orientation, forget about protection. Would you really want to put your mates in that position?!
"... Awesome weekend had by all. Got battered to the max! Great activities and was always entertained. We are all hanging like monkeys from trees. Would use StagWeb any day. Really helpful and always kept us updated ..."
don't slip up signor, foreign banana skins ...
Something else to give worthy consideration is if you book directly with foreign services (ie companies outside the UK), experience tells us it is highly possible they may have little or no protection, let alone recourse to pursue these services should anything go wrong. That's before the expense of chasing them. Along with not knowing them, their reliability or stability, they might not even be established companies. Furthermore UK law will offer you no protection. Why put your event in that position?!
don't shatter the stag dream, avoid financial fragility!
Over the least few years we have seen numerous travel companies fail and leave unsuspecting clients either completely out of pocket or with an enormous headache trying to recover any money. On top of that the clients either have to forget the whole event or start again with alternate plans and yet more expense. It’s not our job to comment on other companies but if you knew the facts you wouldn't’t want to book with a company trading very close to financial fragility would you – we’d strongly recommend only booking with only established bonded companies with established reputations.
nice pair - The rule of 2, (the two best two choices you can make)
If you ask the professionals booking protected trips abroad boils down to 2 things, either ABTA or ATOL bonding.
But it's important to know the difference ...
ABTA
Also known as The Travel Association, formed in 1950 ABTA incorporates what used to be the Association of British Travel Agents and the Federation of Tour Operators. Here's a quote from their website ... "ABTA’s main aims are to maintain high standards of trading practice for the benefit of its Members, the travel industry at large, and the consumers that they serve." Why not see more about them at www.abta.com. ABTA members insure themselves against financial loss so that clients remain protected, StagWeb was the first specialist agency to be ABTA bonded back in 2005.
"... StagWeb really did organise a great weekend for all the boys. Made the planning go smoothly and delivered on everything they promised. All our party had a great time. Thanks ..."
ATOL
This is a financial protection scheme managed by the Civil Aviation Authority. All holiday companies selling air holiday packages (ie flight inclusive packages) and flights in the UK are required by law to hold a licence called an Air Travel Organiser's Licence (“ATOL”), which is granted after the company has met the CAA's licensing requirements. Why not see more about them at www.atol.org.uk.
win, win … which one applies ...
So if you're booking a flight inclusive package at the same time then ATOL is your answer. For everything else (ie anytime you book something without flights eg you book your own flights but require ground services) there's ABTA.
flight control - booking your own flights & budget airlines ...
Budget flights to Europe are often the best way to get to the stag weekend cheaply. That's great because the budget airlines eg RyanAir and Easyjet are among the most financially stable in the world. It's unlikely they're going to go anywhere. So if you are booking your own flights ATOL bonding does not apply and you should make sure the ground services are delivered by an ABTA covered agent. This is often the best solution. Also remember to check other airlines aswell for example BA, they're often worth a look.
the simple 4 point solution - 4 points to better international travel
Here's a quick reference guide for you in choosing your agent for your next international adventure
 |
Check your agency is ABTA or ATOL bonded. |
 |
Check that their ABTA or ATOL status is valid. |
 |
Check their reputation, credentials and claims. |
 |
Book with confidence and rest easy knowing that for an important event like the international stag do, you've made a smart decision. |
for the best of the best ...
Book with an ABTA bonded stag weekend specialist with over 8 years experience at the top of the field and well over 200,000 happy clients, that gentlemen is StagWeb. Why not read our testimonials. If you want to chat through this in any further detail please call your account manager on 0845 130 5225.
We look forward to assisting with your next international trip.
 Request a call back from your account manager! |
