Independent travelers who book their own flights and hotels via the internet are scheduled to receive financial protection in the event of holiday mishaps.

The EU has announced that financial coverage which currently applies to package holidays will be extended to ensure that individual passengers are covered in the event of insolvencies and cancellations.

The changes will be formally announced by Meglena Kuneva, the EU commissioner for consumer affairs, at a Brussels conference on Package Holidays later this month with a view to having the details finalised by early 2010.

Currently travelers are only covered if they have booked a package tour via a travel agent or tour operator. Flights are covered only if booked on European airlines or for travel within Europe. This has resulted in widespread public anger from DIY travel bookers who are liable to pay their own damages should a carrier fall down.

The EU has not as yet made a concrete statement as to exactly who will covered by the changes but it is believed that individuals who book a range of tickets via a single website will certainly be included. This coverage will come as welcome news for independent travelers who are increasingly shying away from agents to utilise the discounts available on the internet. Many internet bookers are unaware of the extent of the coverage provided in the small print.

In 2008, around 27 million holidays were booked independently by Britons without protection, however the increased coverage may also come with an increase in costs.