Read this if you arrange inclusive trips, retreats, breaks, events, etc.

So, what has changed?

A package is now generally defined as the combination of two or more different types of Travel Services, which are combined for the purpose of the same trip.

There are now four types of Travel Services:

1. Carriage of passengers
2. Accommodation
3. Motor Vehicle Hire
4. Any other tourist service (e.g. admission to concerts, sports events, excursions or event parks, guided tours, ski passes and rental of sports equipment such as skiing equipment, or spa treatments.

There are now six categories governing the circumstances in which travel services combine to create a package:

1. Single contract (usual package scenario, where Travel Services are sold at an inclusive price).
2. Sold in single booking process, where Travel Services from different suppliers are combined within one booking.
3. Sold at an inclusive / total price, where Travel Services from different suppliers are combined within one transaction.
4. Sold as a “package” (or under a similar term), where the words for instance “combined-deal”, “all-inclusive” or “all-in arrangement”.
5. Contract allows subsequent choice, where a trader sells a product that allows a traveller to select different travel services after they have concluded the contract will also count as package.
6. Sold through linked online booking process, where the traveller’s name, payment details and email address are sent from the first trader they purchase from to the second and a contract is concluded.

These changes close the “loop-holes” that the industry had exploited to sell elements of travel separately to avoid the old Regulations. They also now embrace many firms who would previously have escaped the Regulations, e.g. Hotels, Clubs, Societies, Event Organisers, Hospitality providers, Car Hire, Ticket Agencies, the list goes on and on…

Why does this matter?

The new regulations explicitly places Liability for the performance of the travel services included in the package, on the organiser – irrespective of whether the travel services are performed by third parties. Liability is not only what we understand in Insurance terms but also means any lack of
conformity and travelers will be entitled to compensation for damages and loss of enjoyment. Packages must be financially protected and consumers must be given statutory information.