United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Travel industry targeted by new rules on online sales
Airlines, agents and other travel-related companies will be forced to modify the way they sell online in light of new rules published today.
The measures, outlined in a consultation on the Consumer Rights Directive, are designed to give greater clarity and transparency on consumer rights.
They seek to ban opt-out tick boxes, which automatically add ancillary services to purchases, and to stop companies using premium rate numbers for consumer queries.
Consumer Affairs Minister Norman Lamb said: "Many people will have been ripped off at some point by hidden online charges while booking a holiday, premium rate helplines when returning a purchase or disproportionate and often unexpected charges for paying with credit or debit cards.
"The Consumer Rights Directive will put an end to certain bad business practices and help consumers make well-informed decisions when buying products or services. It will also boost business confidence, setting out clearer rules and responsibilities and cutting red tape by reducing compliance costs."
But the laws have been criticised by some customer campaign groups for failing to tackle credit card surcharges and other payment fees.
Following OFT recommendations last year, the Government has announced plans to bring forward legislation to ban excessive debit and credit card surcharges across the economy.
Today the Government said this would be the subject of a separate consultation, to be published shortly.
In a half-way step, a dozen airlines were forced to change their pricing policy by the Office of Fair Trading at the start of this month.
Ryanair, Thomas Cook, Thomson, Aer Lingus, Eastern Airways, easyJet, Flybe, German Wings, Jet2, Lufthansa, BMI Baby, and Wizz Air all agreed to include debit card surcharges in the headline price following a ‘super-complaint’ from consumer rights magazine Which?.
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Gatwick braces for strike