SIR: I refer to the feature: School ski trip insurance alert (BEN, March 21).

Either the writer, Tony Williamson, or the paper has a basic misunderstanding of travel and the difference between travel agents and tour operators.

In his article, rightly warning parents about the inadequacies of ski insurance, he then blames travel agents for arranging poor insurance for school parties that fails to cover accidents on the slopes.

Travel agents very rarely arrange school groups as most schools choose to book direct with 'tour operators' specialising in the school market. Corners are often cut on the comfort of travel, the quality of accommodation and food, the suitability of equipment and the insurance cover on offer. As most parents will verify, these school trips are never cheap and often mystifyingly expensive.

Travel agents these days are under extreme pressure to meet the EC Directive of selling travel. We have to do it right first time or we are in real trouble. A good travel agent will offer a choice of ski insurances that have differing limits in every area to suit each individual's needs, a cost effective policy with limited cover or a realistically priced policy with a truly comprehensive cover. Please do not lump us all in together; tour operators and travel agents are different, and not all travel agents are the same.

Andrew Dickson

F INST.T.F.T.S

Managing Director

St Andrews Travel, Bolton.

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