Package travel regulations

These regulations are designed to safeguard consumers when booking a combination of travel services sold as a package. A "package" typically includes two or more of the following elements:

• Transport: flights, trains, or buses (but not short transfers to accommodation).
• Accommodation: hotels, resorts, or holiday rentals.
• Vehicle hire: cars, motorbikes, or similar.
• Tourist services: significant activities like guided tours, spa treatments, or event tickets.

Other conditions

• The services must be marketed together or purchased as part of the same booking process.
• The tourist service must be significant, meaning it either represents 25% or more of the trip’s cost or is marketed as an essential feature.

Exemptions

Some activities do not fall under package travel regulations:

• Business travel: if sold under a general agreement for regular bookings, these are exempt.
• Day trips: trips under 24 hours without accommodation are excluded.
• Charity bookings: Nonprofit organisations offering occasional, limited travel services to specific groups are exempt.

Examples and applications

• A three-day itinerary with multiple excursions (eg cycling tours) does not qualify as a package if only one type of travel service is involved.
• A day trip with transport and a guided tour is exempt as it lasts under 24 hours.
• Accommodation booked separately from excursions does not form a package since the services were not purchased simultaneously.

For consumers, these regulations provide peace of mind and added protections when booking holiday packages. Key benefits include:

• Transparency: knowing exactly what is included in their holiday package and its cost.
• Financial security: confidence that their money is safe even if the provider faces insolvency.
• Guaranteed assistance: assurance that they’ll receive support in case of problems encountered during their trip.