PTR talks ‘not limited to consultation’


Ian Taylor Abta Travel Law Seminar, London


Policy advisors to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have confirmed reform of the Package Travel Regulations (PTR) need not end with the current consultation, insisting further action “is not closed off”. Danielle Gazi, senior policy


advisor for consumer and competition policy at the DBT, told an Abta Travel Law Seminar last week: “We’re committed to working together to consider what changes could be made outside the consultation. “We’ve heard what you say. The


work continues. What is not in the consultation is not closed off.”


Fellow policy advisor Andrew


Powell explained: “We need to wrap this up by Christmas and complete [legislation] by June 16 [2026]. But that is not to say we can’t make changes down the line.” Powell confirmed earlier this


month that PTR reform must be completed by June next year or the process will run out of time (Travel Weekly, May 8). That is because legislative changes will be made under the Retained EU Law Act, which expires in June 2026. He said the time pressure


meant the consultation, launched in April, “was slimmed down… to focus mostly on a domestic [package holiday] exemption and mix-and-match [bond and


Advantage members aim to stress links to rebranded consortium


Juliet Dennis Advantage Conference, Malta


Advantage Travel Partnership agents have pledged to align themselves more closely with the consortium by using its new logo on shopfronts and more prominently online. Members said they were keen to


capitalise on any potential increase in business as a result of the rollout and promotion of the new Advantage branding and digital platform, unveiled at this year’s annual conference in Malta. Fred Olsen Travel retail director


Paul Hardwick said he was impressed by the new “clean and clear” branding,


6 22 MAY 2025


adding the 23-branch high street agency would now consider ways to leverage the brand and highlight its connection with Advantage. “We will look at our windows,


to start bringing the Advantage brand in,” he said. “Advantage is getting that brand awareness out there, so we can help customers realise what the brand means.” Although the agency is unlikely to


use the brand on its shop fascias “to begin with”, it is likely to feature the logo in windows, as it does with Abta. Similarly, the logo is set to


become more noticeable on Fred Olsen Travel’s website, including a link through to the consortium’s


website. “We really need to make customers aware of the Advantage brand,” he added. ArrangeMY Escape general


manager Jennifer Lynch said she was also keen to increase the agency’s use of the “fresh and modern” brand. She said: “It’s something we need


to shout about, to show we are part of a bigger organisation. I want to incorporate it more and associate ourselves with the new brand. Advantage is advocating for us so we should do the same in reverse.” Idle Travel director Tony Mann


also pledged to get behind the new brand. He said: “I love the new branding. It’s fresh and current. If


We advise ministers


on what we think will work. That is not to say we can’t make changes down the line


trust] financial protection”. Powell told the Abta seminar


there would be a period of analysis “over the summer” ahead of issuing final proposals and urged the industry to “take every opportunity to engage with the process”, saying: “We advise ministers on what we think will work.” Gazi agreed, saying: “The powers are limited. The minister has a huge


portfolio of work and the easier we can make this, the better. But there are non-legislative ways [to make changes]. Some of the issues raised need more time and better understanding.” She noted tension “between


what consumer rights groups want and what businesses want”, with the department seeking to “balance the burden on business and consumer protection”. Powell acknowledged: “We


would all like to see Atol and the PTRs sit under one body. I can’t see that happening any time soon.” Industry stakeholders have until June 30 to respond to the


PTR consultation. i Abta Travel Law Seminar, page 47


Julia Lo Bue-Said unveils


Advantage’s new branding on stage at the conference in Malta


Advantage is going to market the consortium and get that awareness of Advantage as a brand out there, we will get behind it and use it more.” Advantage marketing director


David Forder, speaking on stage at the conference, said agents would reap the benefits of promoting the consortium, which now has 750 branches in the UK. He said: “We will be shining


a much brighter light on the Advantage brand. While growing our membership remains a priority, we are laser-focused on communicating the value of booking with an independent travel agent and driving


that traffic straight to you.” i Advantage Conference, page 10


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Alistair Elmes


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