EUROPEANCommission officials are drafting new legislation governing the advertising of promotions and cut-price offers which may make it illegal for the UK trade to advertise discounts.
Head of legal services Riccardo Nardi said countries such as Germany were very keen on making its own country laws applicable across Europe. “It is illegal to advertise discounts in Germany,” said Nardi.
The Internet was the reason behind the legislation, due to the need for harmonisation on cross-border selling, he added. UK companies advertising flights may be disadvantaged as they don’t look competitive against companies who do not have to include taxes in the price. Nardi and ABTA advisor Simon Bunce are meeting EC officials this month to discuss the issue.