Easter is just around the corner and ongoing tensions in parts of the Middle East are creating uncertainty for some travellers with many people wondering what it might mean for their upcoming trips.

We spoke to Sara Dickenson, a Travel Counsellor, to help explain what your rights are if your plans are affected – and what steps you should take now to make things easier if disruption does occur.

What are your rights if you've booked a package holiday?

"If you've booked a package holiday, you are generally in a much stronger position if something changes," Sara explained.

"A package holiday means that at least two parts of your trip - usually flights and accommodation - have been booked together as one package with a travel company.

"In the UK, package holidays are protected by the Package Travel Regulations. That means if something significant changes before departure, travellers have clear options.

"If your holiday can't go ahead as planned, your travel provider must offer you options such as a full refund, an alternative holiday, or sometimes the chance to move your trip to a different date or destination," she said.

"Importantly, the responsibility sits with the travel company to sort things out. They deal with the airline, the hotel and any other suppliers involved.

"This can remove a lot of stress at what is often already an uncertain time for travellers. Instead of you having to call lots of different companies and try to work out what's happening, you have one point of contact who manages it all for you."

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Travel Counsellors even goes a step further and gives financial protection to all its customers through its Travel Trust Fund – this independent trust account offers financial protection for every element of your holiday, including non-flight holidays and standalone travel services. If Travel Counsellors can't deliver your holiday, your money is returned to you.

Sara Dickenson, a Travel Counsellor. (Photo: Sara Dickenson)

For anyone travelling over Easter, Sara's advice is not to panic.

"Many holidays will still go ahead without any problems. But if you're concerned, keep an eye on official travel advice and stay in contact with your travel provider."

What if you booked everything separately?

"For people who arranged their own holiday online such as booking flights, hotels and excursions individually, the situation can be a little more complicated" Sara explained.

"If you've booked everything separately, you essentially become the organiser of your own trip. That means if something changes, you'll need to deal with each supplier individually."

Sara has some insightful guidance to help Alsager residents.

"The best thing travellers can do now is get organised. I always recommend taking a little time to write down every part of your holiday. That includes your flights, your hotels, transfers, car hire, and any trips or excursions you've booked."

Alongside each item, Sara advises that travellers should make a note of key details such as:

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· Booking reference numbers

· Contact details for the company

· The cancellation or amendment policy

"Having all of that information in one place makes things much easier if you need to make changes quickly," she added. "It also means you're not scrambling through emails trying to find confirmation numbers when you need them."

Checking travel insurance is another sensible step.

"It's worth reviewing your policy so you know what you're covered for, particularly when it comes to disruption."

Planning for peace of mind

While travel disruption is never welcome, being prepared can make a big difference.

"Ultimately, it comes down to how your holiday is structured," Sara said. "When everything is booked as a package, someone is there to coordinate things for you if plans change."

For travellers organising trips themselves, keeping good records and understanding each booking's terms can help reduce the stress if the unexpected happens.

"The goal is simply to make sure that if something does change, you're in the best position to deal with it quickly and confidently."

If you'd like the help of Sara to organise and book your next trip, call 01270 917091 or email [email protected]. There's no fee – just expert advice from someone local.

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