The travel trade needs to prepare for the introduction of a new law which will focus on its business practices.
Speaking at the Association of Independent Tour Operators conference last week MB Law partner Claire Ingleby said the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2007 is being introduced next year in a bid to harmonise unfair trading laws across the European Union.
It will focus on companies which are guilty of undertaking misleading actions, misleading omissions and aggressive commercial practices and which will be punishable with fines or even prison sentences in extreme cases.
In addition, companies which are members of trade organisations like AITO or ABTA will also be expected to comply with the regulations laid down by the associations, or face the penalty.
Ingleby said while it remains unclear exactly how the law will be applied to UK travel businesses, she expects much of the focus to be on websites and brochures.
She said: “The law will require a careful review of your advertising material, booking conditions, brochures and web sites.”