More clarity needed on new package travel regulations, says ABTA
ABTA is urging the Government to be clearer about how it plans to offer greater protection for customers buying holiday packages as it hasn’t yet seen a draft wording for the new UK Package Travel Regulations, even though the EU stipulates they must come into effect next July.
The government has just launched a consultation on its proposals, which include offering better protection to online bookings and requiring more information to be provided at the time of booking, but ABTA said it needs more clarity.
"ABTA believes that when people buy a package holiday they should enjoy the same level of protection, whether they book that holiday in person, by phone or online. We also believe there is a need for more clarity about what constitutes a package holiday to help people understand when they are, or are not, protected," it said.
"The EU published its revised Package Travel Directive in 2015 and ABTA has consistently supported its core principles for extending consumer protection.
"While we welcome this consultation, we need to better understand how the UK Government proposes translating these principles into UK law and have yet to see the draft wording for the new UK Package Travel Regulations. Such clarity is essential for the public to fully understand what will or will not be protected."
ABTA said travel businesses also need to be given enough time to respond to the draft regulations and make any necessary changes to their business.
"The EU requires that the new Regulations come into effect in July 2018 so we need the Government to move swiftly in sharing the detail behind these broader proposals," it added.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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