What is a Package to the 2018 Package Travel Regulations?

Whether you’re a travel business just getting started, or a traveller looking to be better versed on the industry, it is important to understand what is a package. It is one of the most simple aspects of travel regulations, and yet, if you asked some businesses or frequent travellers, they wouldn’t be able to put into words exactly what it is.

This isn’t because it is excessively complicated, we promise. Rather, most people in the industry will have an idea in their head to recognise a package. That works well for the most part, however, it is also important to know what could change that definition without your notice. This could be a shady travel business that wants you to believe you have the protection of the Package Travel Regulations when you do not, or it could simply be to prevent your business from getting into hot water if you accidentally label something a package that technically isn’t.

Fortunately, ensuring you’re well equipped won’t take more than a few minutes (don’t worry, there won’t be any homework!).

What is a Package?

The Package Travel Regulations define a package as: “‘package’ means the pre-arranged combination of at least two of the following components when sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price and when the service covers a period of more than twenty-four hours or includes overnight accommodation: transport, accommodation, other tourist services not ancillary to transport or accommodation and accounting for a significant proportion of the package. And: the submission of separate accounts for different components shall not cause the arrangements to be other than a package, the fact that a combination is arranged at the request of the consumer and in accordance with [their] specific instructions (whether modified or not) shall not of itself cause it to be treated as other than pre-arranged.”

This is a long and legally phrased way of saying that a package must contain 2 of the following:

1. Accommodation
2. Transport
3. Activities or Attractions that contribute a significant portion of the holiday.

A package must be over 24-hours long or include overnight accommodation. It must also be sold at one, inclusive price, regardless of if the traveller and business have agreed to pay for parts of the holiday separately. An example of this would be if you booked a holiday that included a hotel, flight, and ski facilities, but ultimately paid for each element at separate times during the booking process.

This must all be booked in one transaction, however. So if you book a holiday, and in the confirmation email, another element is sold to you as an addition, this is no longer a package. While this holiday will still have some basic legal protection, it will be significantly less that with a package.

Do UK ‘Holistay’ Travel Businesses need to be PTR compliant?

There is often some misunderstanding around domestic packages. However, the Package Travel Regulations do apply to holistays (or just holidays where you don’t leave the UK, if you’re as disgusted by the term ‘holistay’ as our writer) as long as the holiday is over 24 hours or includes overnight stay. A flight is not necessary for a package to be a package, it is just a common element.

This does put a heavier emphasis on the activity element of a package. Meaning that if you only book accommodation somewhere else in the UK, you won’t have booked a package and legislation will apply very differently.

Luckily, is you are a member of, or booking with a member of, Protected Trust Services, our expert team are always here to ensure the member business is running smoothly with 100% Package Travel Regulations compliance.

If you’d like to learn more about the Package Travel Regulations and how PTS members stay compliant, please get in contact with one of Protected Trust Services’ (PTS) lovely staff members by calling 0207 190 9988. Or, you can visit our member support and travel trust account pages to learn more about how we protect you.