Protection under new Package Directive could be ‘a total nightmare’
Allowing tour operators to choose where they get financial protection could be ‘a total nightmare’ claims the Association of ATOL Companies.
The EU proposals under the Reform of the EU Package Directive allow tour operators to use a ‘myriad of unfamiliar schemes’.
This means UK travellers may not enjoy financial protection through the ATOL scheme in the future, claims the association.
Under the new proposals, consumers could be faced with various schemes from the 28 existing members of the EU.
In a survey of AAC members last month, 80% of members opposed the change, noting not only the likely consumer confusion that would follow but the damage that could be caused to the current ATOL system.
The UK consultation closed at the end of November with the ACC submitting their concerns to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.
The directive should be discussed by the European Commission in early 2014.
Lindsay Ingram, chair of the AAC said "The UK ATOL system provides protection in cases where EU law is far from clear and consumers may find themselves unprotected when buying similar products from non ATOL holding businesses, either based here or abroad."
"No other country extends protection beyond traditional package holidays as defined more than 20 years ago, "added Alan Bowen legal adviser to the AAC.
"The sheer issue of dealing with language problems if protection is based overseas may be insurmountable and cause greater stress in the event of a business failure."
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt