And as hard as it is to believe that 2017 is almost over, it’s even harder to accept that we’re still no closer to understanding what next year’s Package Travel Regulations – one of the biggest pieces of legislation facing the industry in years – will look like.

Back in March last year, TTG reported that government consultations were likely to be delayed by the EU referendum. But it’s doubtful even industry experts could have anticipated quite how late the government would leave its response to its consultation in August.

The Department for Transport – to its credit – at least supplied a response in February, but they are now understood to be poised to launch another consultation. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, which will be responsible for implementation, has yet to even issue its response.

While Westminster has been preoccupied with Brexit, the fact remains that according to EU law the directive must be transposed into UK law from January 1, although the industry does have a grace period until July to fully enforce it. Even with the extra six months though, the sector now has little time to put into place systems to implement the new PTD.

Agents and operators are already braced for significant regulatory changes – few can ignore the challenges which the Payment Services Directive 2 and the new data regulations (GDPR) alone will bring. It is unacceptable and grossly unfair that the industry will also now be forced to bear the brunt of the government’s tardiness on PTD.

Did you make the shortlist?
Amid the challenges facing the sector in 2018, TTG will be celebrating agents. We are thrilled this week to reveal the 95 stores and companies shortlisted for the third TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies, in partnership with Kuoni.