The number of tour operators adding surcharges to published prices on package holidays has increased from 15 to 23 over the past two weeks.
Most of the eight travel companies stressed the move was due to the strength of the euro against the pound.
Package holiday regulations state that operators can demand surcharges of up to 10 per cent of the holiday value, provided they have reserved the right to do so in the small print and have absorbed the first 2 per cent of any price rise.
As a result the consumer is forced to pay up or forfeit whatever has been paid towards the cost of the trip .
According to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), the list of tour operators that now demand surcharges could get longer because "most tour operators have reserved the right to surcharge".
The UK travel body added most of the companies that are surcharging are the smaller members as "they can’t play the currency markets" .
Activities Abroad member Alistair McLean hit out at the surcharges, saying: "In a year when the family holiday will be the first luxury to go if the credit crunch bites, what sort of message are we sending by imposing surcharges? Now is a time to nurture clients - not alienate them."
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