These regulations are designed to safeguard consumers when booking a combination of travel services sold as a package. A "package" typically includes two or more of the following elements:
- Transport: flights, trains, or buses (but not short transfers to accommodation).
- Accommodation: hotels, resorts, or holiday rentals.
- Vehicle hire: cars, motorbikes, or similar.
- Tourist services: significant activities like guided tours, spa treatments, or event tickets.
Other conditions
- The services must be marketed together or purchased as part of the same booking process.
- The tourist service must be significant, meaning it either represents 25% or more of the trip’s cost or is marketed as an essential feature.
Exemptions
Some activities do not fall under package travel regulations:
- Business travel: if sold under a general agreement for regular bookings, these are exempt.
- Day trips: trips under 24 hours without accommodation are excluded.
- Charity bookings: Nonprofit organisations offering occasional, limited travel services to specific groups are exempt.
Examples and applications
- A three-day itinerary with multiple excursions (eg cycling tours) does not qualify as a package if only one type of travel service is involved.
- A day trip with transport and a guided tour is exempt as it lasts under 24 hours.
- Accommodation booked separately from excursions does not form a package since the services were not purchased simultaneously.
