Package Travel Regulations reform - call for evidence now published

This is something we have long campaigned for with the English Tourism Alliance. Finally, this week the publication of a call for evidence on changes to the Package Travel Regulations have been released. The Package Travel Regulations are currently retained EU law. It sounds innocuous enough, but it is huge barrier to tourism business and related businesses to be able offer value-added products to their customers on what maybe deemed packages. Brexit made no difference to this (and indeed many other pieces of retained legislation). We have campaigned as a sector for a small, but very important change to the definition of what constitutes a package in the domestic sector this would make a big difference.
 
The English Tourism Alliance have published a policy White paper on their website. If you are seeking to set up a value-added product (deemed a ‘package’) we suggest you read it: https://tourismalliance.com/package-travel-regulations-policy-white-paper

The UK Government are it seems starting to consider the suggested changes to the PTRs so that consumers remain adequately protected, but so that unnecessary red-tape can be removed and free up tourism businesses to provide more value to holidaymakers.

The Business Minister, Kevin Hollinrake MP, recently said:

“Our domestic travel industry is crucial to our economy, but many holiday companies are faced with often over-burdensome regulations that make it difficult for them to grow and thrive.

“Today’s consultation is a major step to cutting red tape, which could benefit millions of British holidaymakers and give the sector a much-needed boost for the future.”

We warmly welcome this call for evidence and will be submitting our views and evidence in support of the change we wish to see. In the meantime you can read the Government's press release here and the full call for evidence here.