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‘Package travel regs must be relaxed to help businesses survive’

Atol
Joanna Kolatsis
15 March 2020

At the end of another crazy coronavirus week, I’d like to make one observation after advising several friends and colleagues in the travel industry struggling with the application of the Package Travel Regulations in the current climate.

Agents have charted strong cruise and touring bookings

It is abundantly clear that these regulations were never intended to apply to these circumstances and were never contemplated when updating them – how could they have been?

Travel businesses should not be held accountable for refunds for uninsurable events such as this.

Yet we expect the industry to be accountable for customer refunds without limit when the end for them is nowhere in sight.

This will destroy some people’s businesses through no fault of their own.

When one resort or destination is affected, it makes sense.