The possible collapse of Thomas Cook has "ruined" the holidays of thousands of tourists, who fear being trapped far from home despite official reassurances that they will be looked after.

Some 600,000 holidaymakers are currently abroad on trips organised by Thomas Cook, including 150,000 British tourists.

The mass travel pioneer is mainly active in Europe and around the Mediterranean, with Antalya in Turkey and Mallorca in Spain its flagship destinations.

Jackie and Amy Ward, a mother and daughter on holiday in Mallorca, told Britain's Sky News that their holidays in the sun had been "ruined" by uncertainty over their return.

Jackie Ward said that she had heart disease and would run out of medicine if she did not return home on Monday, as planned.

A stranger had offered to buy a ticket for the Newcastle tourist to ensure that she could return safely if the firm collapsed, Sky News reported.

Thomas Cook's hundreds of service providers were also wracked with anxiety over the company's troubles, with some facing closure themselves if the tour operator goes under.

Managers of the hotel Les Orangers in Hammamet, Tunisia, briefly delayed the departure of a group of tourists until they could verify that payments owed by Thomas Cook had been made, a Tunisian interior ministry spokesman told AFP.

The resort managers requested additional payments even though the group had already paid the costs of their stay in full, a tourist told AFP.

"After an hour they left the hotel and are currently at the airport," said the government spokesman.

"There are other Thomas Cook groups in Hammamet, Sousse, Mahdia and Djerba -- all payment procedures have been settled," he added.

- Plans dashed -

In addition to travellers worried about their return, others are concerned that their much-anticipated holiday plans are about to collapse.

Bride-to-be Chloe Hardy and a 33-strong party of friends and family had been due to fly out to the Greek island of Zakynthos on Thursday for her wedding.

"We are obviously unsure whether we will be able to even fly, let alone make our wedding which is extremely devastating for us and all family and friends," she told AFP, adding that everything had been booked through the travel firm at a cost of around �45,000.

Others poured out their frustrations on Twitter.

"I'm supposed to fly on Tuesday and would really appreciate some info," complained @JoshSmith1990.

"Very stressful flying out on 15 October for a wedding spent almost 2 years paying for the holiday will be so gutted if we can't go please someone help them," added @bullyforyou180.

British authorities sought to reassure travellers, saying that all tour packages purchased in Britain and the European Union were protected by law.

In Britain, the "ATOL guarantee" covers repatriation and refunds for holidaymakers if the company goes bust, with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) responsible for getting them home.

The CAA has got experience, orchestrating the repatriation of some 85,000 people following the bankruptcy of the British airline Monarch two years ago, but the collapse of Thomas Cook would be of a completely different magnitude.

The crisis comes six months after thousands of travellers were left stranded in Europe and the United States by collapse of Icelandic low-cost airline Wow.

What awaits tourists hit by Thomas Cook crisis?
London (AFP) Sept 22, 2019 - The possible bankruptcy of British tour operator Thomas Cook, which was fighting for survival on Sunday, would be a bombshell for European holidaymakers and trigger a mammoth repatriation operation.

Here are the implications for tourists should the 178-year old giant collapse.

What happens in the event of bankruptcy?

If the embattled company fails to secure the �200 million (EUR227 million) rescue funds or find an alternative plan, it will have to file for bankruptcy in Britain.

The group's activities would cease immediately, forcing its travel agencies to close, grounding its planes and leaving the group's 22,000 global employees -- 9,000 of whom are in Britain -- out of a job.

Directors, probably from audit firms, will be appointed to try to find a buyer, restructure its debt or sell assets.

Some 600,000 tourists worldwide would have to be repatriated, including 150,000 Britons, making it the largest such operation in the country since World War II.

The operation could take two weeks, the maximum duration of most of Thomas Cook's package breaks.

Who would lead the operation?

The British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) would be responsible for organising the repatriation, as it was during the bankruptcy of British airline Monarch in October 2017.

The bill is expected to run to several billion pounds, including �600 million in the United Kingdom alone.

The CAA has already drawn up an emergency plan called "Operation Matterhorn", named after an American bombing operation against Japanese forces during World War II.

A telephone number will be provided for affected holidaymakers.

What protections do holidaymakers have?

Thomas Cook assured its British clients that they are protected by the "ATOL guarantee".

This system, which is based on a European directive, is managed by the CAA and covers tourists who have purchased all-inclusive trips with flights and hotels.

Tourists already on holiday will be able to finish their stay and then return as normal, with other companies providing the services.

Those who have not yet left will get a refund or offered an alternative holiday.

The European Package Travel Directive applies to package holidaymakers who booked in other EU countries, guaranteeing refunds and repatriation in the event of bankruptcy.

CAA has vowed that everything will be done to bring tourists back on the scheduled day.

Travellers who have only purchased airline tickets from Thomas Cook are not covered by ATOL but can turn to their credit card provider or insurers for refunds.

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