Package travel legislation: consultation on proposed amendments

The 2018 Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations (2018 PTRs) establish a series of requirements for organisers of package holidays which aim to provide bespoke protections for travellers.

The government wishes to deliver economic growth and consider ways to make the regulations better suited to the needs of UK travellers and organisers, particularly for those holidaying within the UK.

We are consulting to gather insights into reforms we are considering making to the regulations. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, the government will then make a final decision on whether and how to change the 2018 PTRs.

The consultation includes proposals in relation to:

• reforming the domestic package market to exempt domestic (UK) holidays that do not contain a booked travel element from the regulations
• reforming linked travel arrangements (LTAs) by either removing or simplifying the definition of LTAs
• examining the case for setting a time limit for third parties to provide redress to organisers where the third party has contributed to the event but has not already provided redress directly to the consumer – this is to respond to difficulties some package organisers have in exercising their right to recoup refund monies from suppliers
• further technical changes to make clearer what services are within the scope of the regulations, and to reform measures around insolvency protection

We are interested in hearing from all stakeholders and welcome feedback from anyone with an interest in the proposals.