The new EU Package Travel Directive, came into force on Sunday 1 July 2018.
For bookings from that date, online travel agents must take responsibility for each aspect of a holiday they sell in a single transaction.
The new rules widen the definition of a package holiday, making many more travel firms take responsibility for sorting out any problems.
The key changes are:
- Linked Travel Arrangements – Many websites may specialise in one area, such as flights and then direct their consumers to all other travel arrangements through links to independent travel firms on their site. If two or more travel arrangements are booked within 24 hours of each other, through links, the new Package Travel Directive is now applicable. All LTA websites must also make package regulations extremely clear to consumers on their websites.
- Any existing Flight Plus holidays will now be package holidays
- Pre- Arranged Packages – Any holiday pre-arranged by a tour operator that includes two or more elements will be included under the new PTR. For example, a hotel plus car rental or a hotel plus transport.
- Customised Packages – when a consumer chooses separate components of their holiday from one business, either online or offline they will now be covered by the new PTR.
For more information on this, contact Yasin Khandwalla on 020 7600 5667
Elman Wall Blog 