BREXIT MEANS BETTER TRADE
Summary:
In March 2024, the ABTA Director of Legal Affairs, Simon Bunce, outlined that the UK package holiday industry was “very fortunate” to be outside of the EU – as new regulations on customer payment periods and on liability for missed holidays would place liability on the cost of missed holidays onto the tour operator for circumstances that, as Bunce stated, “have nothing to do with the tour operator”.
Explanation:
In March 2024, the ABTA Director of Legal Affairs, Simon Bunce, outlined that the UK package holiday industry was “very fortunate” to be outside of the EU – as new regulations on customer payment periods and on liability for missed holidays would place liability on the cost of missed holidays onto the tour operator for circumstances that, as Bunce stated, “have nothing to do with the tour operator”.
The European Commission is looking at limiting upfront prepayments so a package organiser can’t ask for more than 25% of the price of a holiday and can’t seek the balance more than 28 days before departure.
The commission is also looking at an increased right to refunds for consumers due to extraordinary circumstances, not just at a destination but at the consumer’s place of residence. That liability is not the responsibility of the operator and should be covered by customers taking out travel insurance. These new rules would be applicable to the UK had we not left the EU.
Reference: https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/uk-trade-fortunate-to-be-outside-eu-package-travel-reform