For more than 25 years, my career in the travel industry has provided me with invaluable insights into the oftenoverlooked legal intricacies surrounding retreat hosting. It's alarming to observe that numerous retreat companies and instructors lack a comprehensive understanding of the rules and regulations governing their operations.
One fundamental legal requirement, applicable to all UK organisations selling package holidays, mandates the provision of financial security for customers' prepayments and repatriation in the event of organisational insolvency. This imperative is categorised into packages including flights, covered by the Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) system, and those without flights, governed since 1992 by the Package Travel Regulations (PTRs) and enforced by DBT, CMA, and Trading Standards. The unfortunate collapses of industry giants like Thomas Cook and Shearings Holidays stand as stark reminders of the critical importance of adherence to these regulations.
A 'package' is defined as a combination of two or more different travel services for the same trip, encompassing elements such as flights, accommodation, car hire and other tourist services like yoga and Pilates sessions. Consequently, all retreats, whether inclusive of flights or not, fall under the scope of these regulations.
The obligations for a package organiser are multifaceted:
1. Appropriate Financial Protection: This can be achieved through bonding with travel trade associations such as ABTOT or ABTA, per passenger insurance, or a meticulously maintained trust account meeting regulatory standards.
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March 2024
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