The review of the Package Travel Regulations (PTRs) may experience delays due to shifting government priorities under the new Labour administration.
- Craig Belsham from the Department for Business and Trade indicated that the PTRs review might not be an immediate focus for the government at the recent Aito annual forum.
- The Department has gathered extensive feedback from both industry and consumers to inform the PTRs review process.
- Recent political changes, including a new government, have diverted attention towards employment rights, affecting PTRs prioritisation.
- Industry experts express concerns over the deprioritisation of the PTRs, emphasizing the need to proceed with improvements regardless.
The ongoing review of the Package Travel Regulations seems to be on course for a delay, primarily attributed to the shifting priorities of the UK government. This potential delay was highlighted by Craig Belsham, assistant director at the Department for Business and Trade, during a keynote at the Specialist Travel Association’s autumn annual meeting. The intricacies of governmental transitions are at play, especially with the Labour Party’s recent assumption of power, which has led to a realignment of primary objectives.
According to Belsham, the Department for Business and Trade, which spearheads the review of the PTRs, has encountered an unexpected shift in focus, with ministers now concentrating on employment rights. This shift has resulted in the PTRs being pushed lower on the list of legislative priorities, potentially extending the timeline for any forthcoming reforms. The current administration’s immediate emphasis is on employment legislation, and this is anticipated to continue for the upcoming months.
In light of these developments, Belsham reassured that although the PTRs are not currently at the forefront, the government remains attentive to the sector’s needs. The Department has accumulated over 150 responses from industry stakeholders and consumers since last September to inform its review process. Belsham asserted the Department’s commitment to leveraging this comprehensive feedback to re-engage ministers once the results of concurrent consumer research are finalised.
Despite the delay, leading figures in the travel industry, such as Martin Alcock of the Travel Trade Consultancy and Chris Thompson of The Firebird Partnership, remain unyielding in their resolve to advance with proposed reforms. Alcock identified a distinct waning in urgency towards travel industry regulations, attributing this to a plethora of competing governmental priorities. However, he stressed that the industry should not idly await government direction but should continue to pursue enhancements independently.
Echoing this sentiment, Thompson underscored the importance of perseverance amidst uncertainty, advocating for progress based on currently available insights. He highlighted existing government support for SMEs but voiced apprehensions regarding consumer confidence, which he believes is likely to remain fragile until the government’s forthcoming budget announcement. Such dynamics illustrate the complex interplay between governmental policies and sectoral stability, demanding a proactive stance from industry leaders.
The PTRs review faces potential delays due to government re-prioritisation, but industry leaders encourage proactive progress.
