Trade body seeks ‘greater clarity’ from govt on package travel reforms
Harry KembleA government review of the UK’s Package Travel Regulations (PTRs) must deliver "greater clarity" and "less opportunity for confusion", the Association of Atol Companies (AAC) has warned.
After surveying its members on the proposed changes, AAC chair Lindsay Ingram said on Tuesday (12 December): “At present, some of the rules fail to do either and should be changed.”
The association’s members were invited to share their views on the proposals within hours of the government announcing in September a 12-week call for evidence, led by the Department of Business and Trade (DBT)
Key proposals included deregulating domestic holidays, setting a minimum cost threshold for package rules to apply, simplifying – or scrapping – Linked Travel Arrangements, and clarifying the redress from third-party rule.
More than 40% of AAC members returned completed surveys, sharing views the association described as “clear and unambiguous”. The AAC added it opposed “any attempt” to reduce consumer protection “simply based on the price paid”.
AAC secretary Alan Bowen said: “For those choosing lower-priced holidays, the need for protection may well be higher and this suggestion is hare-brained.”
The AAC has also pushed for an end to Linked Travel Arrangements, claiming "neither the consumer, nor the industry, seems certain of their intent nor the very limited level of protection they provide”.
The AAC also stressed the PTRs currently “require too much ‘essential information’ to be provided before sale”. “The AAC proposes a reduction to make it clearer to the consumer what they are purchasing and how much it will cost,” said the association in its response to the government.
“Too much information means either the consumer ignores it completely or the seller fails to provide it in the first place.”
The AAC said it fully supported the idea of legally mandating the use of vouchers, such as Refund Credit Notes, when there are events such as the Covid pandemic, and “a clear rewrite of the rules allowing travel organisers to recover their losses from suppliers that cause them”.
It added the “majority of members” would support the “complete removal” of business travel from the PTRs. “Simplicity and clarity will ensure higher standards for both the industry and consumer, and these changes may be a rare opportunity to achieve both,” Bowen explained.
Abta has also sought feedback from the trade on the government’s proposals to reform the PTRs. It said it was “critical” the government understands what any changes mean for businesses and holidaymakers.
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