Why Waveriders?
Why Waveriders?
We offer tailor-made kitesurfing and windsurfing holidays to the world’s best locations with beautiful beaches, warm waters and consistent winds. Whether you’re looking to learn or are already addicted, our passionate team of windsurfers and kitesurfers will give you expert impartial advice on the best course and destination to suit your ability.
We’ve been to the spots, checked out the hotels and have personally handpicked the centres we work with to ensure you’re in the best location and benefiting from the best standards of tuition and safety.
And with us you can be assured of complete flexibility. Whether you’re just looking to try a taster of the sport out on your beach holiday, need a destination that will also keep non kiting/windsurfing friends and families happy or want an intensive course to progress as much as possible in the time available, we’re dedicated to getting you the right holiday, most suited to your needs.
Not only this, but having offered kitesurfing holidays since 2001, we have long standing relationships with our suppliers which means we can negotiate excellent value packages.
And we don’t just stop with an excellent kitesurfing or windsurfing holiday. How about adding an extra dimension to your trip by including a city stay, a wildlife safari, a trip to see the Pyramids or by visiting more than one spot on your holiday on your very own kite or windsurfing safari? These are just some of the possibilities we can arrange for you.
Financial Protection
Financial protection
We book 2 types of holiday for you:
- as a tour operator where we put the package together on your behalf; and
- as an agent for another tour operator
If we are your tour operator (if you are unsure, please ask), no matter what type of holiday you have booked, your money is safe with us.
If we are your agent for another tour operator (if you are unsure, please ask), please see their booking conditions for details of the financial protection they have in place.
Where we are your tour operator:
Package holidays with flights:
If you have booked a package holiday with flights, your money is protected under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Our ATOL number is 4488. See www.caa.co.uk for further information.
In the unlikely event that Waveriders become insolvent, the CAA will arrange any refund of your money paid to us before the start of your holiday. If you are already on holiday, the CAA will arrange your repatriation.
Package holidays without flights:
If you have booked at least 2 holiday elements with us such as accommodation and transfers but not your flights, your money is protected by a Total Payment Protection (TOPP) insurance policy.
In the unlikely event that Waveriders become insolvent, you will be refunded if we fail before you go on holiday. If you are already away on holiday, arrangements will be made to ensure you can continue with your holiday or you will be refunded for any holiday you have been unable to complete.
Single element holidays:
We go above and beyond our legal obligations and also protect your money if you have booked just one element of your holiday with us (e.g. your hotel or your watersports course & rental). Your money is protected by a Total Payment Protection (TOPP) insurance policy.
In the unlikely event that Waveriders become insolvent, you will be refunded if we fail before you go on holiday. If you are already away on holiday, arrangements will be made to ensure you can continue with your holiday or you will be refunded for any holiday you have been unable to complete.
AITO
AITO
Waveriders are a member of AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) and adhere to its Quality Charter:
AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Their member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.
Exclusive membership:
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.
Financial security:
An AITO member is required to protect money paid by customers to the member for any holiday sold under the AITO logo. This protection applies to customers who are in the UK at the time of booking or to overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. Members have to comply with the UK Government Regulations in this respect. Members submit details of their bonding or guarantee arrangements to the Association on a regular basis.
Accurate brochures and web sites:
All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.
Professional service and continual improvements:
All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.
Monitoring standards:
AITO independently monitors its members and their standards.
Responsible tourism:
All members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Responsible Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 to 5 star status.
Customer relations:
All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.
