Financial protection
Book with confidence
When you book with Esto, you’re covered from the moment you say “yes” to the moment you’re safely back home. Your trip, your payments and your peace of mind are all covered by the highest levels of financial and safety accreditation in school travel – so you can focus on giving your students an unforgettable experience, not worrying about the what‑ifs.
Why book with a school tour operator?
Planning a school trip on your own is possible – but it also means taking on everything yourself. Health and safety checks, risk assessments, chasing suppliers, and dealing with the financial impact if plans suddenly change last‑minute.
Under the Package Travel Regulations, if you arrange your own transport, accommodation and services, you could actually be treated like a travel company. That means carrying the same legal and financial responsibilities too.
When you book with us, all of that responsibility sits on our shoulders, not yours. If something goes wrong, we sort it. If your trip can’t go ahead, you’ll be offered an alternative or a full refund. And if a travel company ever went out of business, your money is protected – and you’d be brought home at no extra cost if transport was included.
Safety you can trust
Our externally verified Safety Management System (SMS) exactly matches the recommendations of the Department for Education and the Scottish Executive. It’s designed to give teachers, parents and students complete confidence in how we operate.
Alongside this, you’re protected by our ABTA and ATOL bonding – so you’re covered from booking to safe return.
As the School Travel Forum puts it: “Booking with an STF member, which is also an ABTA member, will provide teachers and parents alike with the confidence of a safe and successful trip.”
ABTA protection
We’re fully bonded by ABTA (V4053). This means your money is protected when you buy a package holiday, and you benefit from ABTA’s support and Code of Conduct throughout your booking.
ATOL protection
Our ATOL licence number is 3215, and you can check our details on the ATOL website. Because every Esto trip is tailormade, your Tour Designer will walk you through exactly which parts of your itinerary are ATOL‑protected as you build your trip together. Before you book, you’ll always know clearly what is and isn’t covered. Once your booking is confirmed, your ATOL Certificate will list the specific elements of your trip that are protected. If you don’t receive an ATOL Certificate, that particular booking isn’t ATOL‑protected. For more details about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate, visit the ATOL website (www.atol.org/about-atol/atol-certificates/) or the CAA website (www.caa.co.uk). There’s also guidance written specifically for schools and colleges on ATOL’s education sector page (www.atol.org/about-atol/guidance-for-the-education-sector/).
No surcharge guarantee
Once your full deposits are paid, the price you see is the price you pay. No currency surprises. No hidden extras. Just complete financial certainty from day one.
