As the weather turns warmer and 12KBW’s International and Travel team begin to yearn for their summer break, their thoughts inevitably turn towards the regulatory regime underpinning any package holidays which they may recently have concluded. So too, it seems, do the thoughts of the Department for Business and Trade, who have recently launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (“the 2018 Regulations”). Read the full consultation here (gov.uk).
The original call for evidence took place in 2023 and focused on how the 2018 Regulations applied to domestic packages as well as the definition and treatment of linked travel arrangements (LTAs). Now, the Department has published its proposals for reform and again seeks input from stakeholders.
The two key proposals are (i) exempting from the regime any UK-based domestic packages which do not include a travel element (such as accommodation booked with an excursion/event) and (ii) excluding from the definition of LTAs those arrangements formed via two separate bookings in a 24-hour period (known as ‘Type B LTAs’). Other proposals relate to the provisions governing insolvency protection and insurance cover for organisers and the right under Regulation 29 to recover damages from travel services providers or suppliers.
The consultation explains that the government “wishes to encourage economic growth and consider ways to make the regulations better suited to the needs of UK travellers and organisers.” The proposed reforms will retain key safeguards of consumer protection that underpin the PTRs while making the most of the opportunity to reshape the regime, so as to support growth in the sector and greater consumer choice.
Interested parties, whether individuals or organisations, can respond to the 19-question consultation either online at https://ditresearch.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8tPQKxs3x8DyigK or by email to PackageTravel@businessandtrade.gov.uk. The deadline for responses is 30 June 2025.