East Midlands MEP welcomes Holiday protection extension for ‘Linked’ travel arrangements

Today the European Parliament voted on, and passed, legislation that will level the playing field in terms of protection for holidaymakers whether they buy a package holiday from a travel agency or online, from one company or from a variety.

In 2013, 183 million citizens visited an online travel website, with 23% of the holiday market now being booked through holiday combinations or ‘linked-up’ services.

Online travel retailers frequently offer a variety of services, allowing a consumer to shop for the best price. When booked though as single services, these combinations do not offer the same consumer protection of booking a single package holiday.

It is estimated that 67% of people that book through these linked-up services mistakenly believe that they are protected to the same degree, when in fact they are not. EU citizens lose 1 billion euros each year due to a lack of holiday protection.

With today’s result holidaymakers now have the equivalent protection when booking online or offline, together or individually. This means these holidaymakers are now protected if they are stranded, if their travel agent goes bankrupt, if prices increase or if flight times change. This equivalence is seen as a necessary step as online travel sites become the preferred method of booking.

Ms McClarkin said

“We all get very excited when booking our summer holidays, but very few of us realise that after finding the best deal online and as we click through our booking, being taken from one website to another, the level of consumer protection does not always accompany us throughout the process, in fact it diminishes as we finalise the booking.

“Today’s vote represents the European Parliament catching up with new consumer behaviour and delivering protection for these holiday makers. Consumers want websites that draw together a good deal from various sources, and it is not unreasonable to expect the appropriate protection when doing so.”

Ms McClarkin added:
“I’m particularly pleased to see that my amendment of a 24 hour window has been maintained in this legislation. If elements of a holiday are booked within 24 hours of each other this constitutes a package and it is an important definition that all consumers should be aware of.
“With the abolishing of mobile phone roaming charges also today, this week is proving to be a great week for European holidaymakers.”