Government promises action over ‘unbonded package holidays’
The issue of travel companies selling unbonded packages has been placed on the Government?s agenda following months of lobbying by the industry.
The Departments of Trade and Industry and of Transport have vowed to tackle the issue following a question being raised in the House of Commons by Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith.
The lobbying is being undertaken by small and medium operators that feel threatened by companies that are selling separate components of travel via a website. On the one hand the packages are effectively unbonded so holidaymakers are not protected against companies failing, and on the other hand it puts operators selling bonded holidays at a competitive disadvantage.
One such operator is Sunvil Holidays. Managing director, Noel Josephides is leading AITO?s lobbying campaign. He said: “Following months of inaction by the Government on this serious issue which threatens the very existence of smaller and medium sized tour operating companies (which are legally bound to buy expensive bonds), we are finally moving in the right direction.”
AITO is urging its members to lobby their local MPs and says it will continue to fight until action is taken.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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