Consumer Group Calls For Greater Protection From Holiday Complaints

The recent case of CAA v Travel Republic has once again opened the debate as to what constitutes a ’Package’.

In its recent article, ’Back To The Future For Package Travel Commissioner Kuneva?’, HolidayTravelWatch sought to demonstrate that whatever the issues that underpinned the Travel Republic case, the real issues were in danger of being passed over, in favour of an easy headline that apparently represents ’Consumer Protection’.

Within the same article, HolidayTravelWatch demonstrates that the so-called DIY or Dynamic Package Holiday selling method, via the internet, is nothing new. It highlighted 3 terms and conditions from holiday brochures, from the years, 1951, 1968 & 1982. In that article, HolidayTravelWatch then stated: “It was this ‘Golden Age’ that led the EU to create the Package Travel Directive; to deal with the excesses and failures and to prevent Consumer detriment to all EU citizens! Check the now many ‘Agency’ websites and their terms and conditions; they bear an uncanny resemblance to the terms and conditions of yesteryear!”

Whilst Financial Protection is certainly an important component within the ’Consumer Protection’ grouping, we must not forget other detriments suffered by Consumers from the sellers of Traditional or Flexible Package Holiday Bundles.

HolidayTravelWatch is encouraged to note the comments made by EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva, in Galway City (28/8/09), when she was reported to have stated: ”I am concerned that as technology evolves, the number of Consumers covered by our very tough holiday protection laws is actually decreasing... many Consumers are falling outside the basic package travel law and sometimes left badly exposed.”

Frank Brehany, the Senior Consumer Advocate for HolidayTravelWatch, states: ”This is a critical moment for the Travel Consumer. The EU Commission & Parliament must maintain their clear views and not be swayed by the easy Consumer Financial Protection headline. The EU Consumer suffers with many forms of detriment in holiday contracts and it must now be recognised, as we have demonstrated, that the internet selling of holidays, is an attempt to return to the pre-1992 ’Golden Age’ of holiday sales.”

He concludes: ”It is simple; all holiday sales must now be fully brought into the new Package Travel Directive, with full responsibility and wide obligations being imposed upon the sellers and providers of the holiday product. Now is the opportunity to take a great stride in improving Consumer Protection and increase the quality of the holiday product in Europe, making it a second to none product that would be envied by the rest the world!”


Note: The full press release can be viewed at the link below.

Contact Information

Frank Brehany

Senior Consumer Advocate

HolidayTravelWatch

Contact via E-mail