Continued from page 64
but we need to learn from the Gulf States and we’re unlikely to launch it in the summer peak.” Stephan Ryan, minister
counsellor for the EU delegation to the UK, told the same conference: “The EES will benefit the UK. It will replace passport stamping and should ultimately reduce queue times. Once you’re in the Schengen Area you can travel freely within it.” The system will collect
passport data, date and place of entry and exit, a facial image and four fingerprints. Ryan acknowledged: “There
will be some inevitable hiccups. It will take more time to enter for the first time as a profile will need to be created, including uploading a facial image and fingerprints.” But he said: “Subsequent
entry will be quicker. There will be pre-registration kiosks in advance of the border and the EU will develop a mobile app to allow the upload of data in advance.” Ryan noted: “We’re acutely
aware the UK is the largest source of third-country nationals entering the EU, [and] there are specific challenges at the entry points operated by French authorities on UK soil – at St Pancras, the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone.” He promised a communica-
tions campaign “to raise aware- ness, beginning three months before the system enters into operation” and said: “The current plan is to introduce this in 2024, but no decision has been taken.” Tom Jenkins, chief executive
of European tourism association Etoa, described the ETIAS price as “reasonable for three years”, saying: “We wish we had similar.”
Government launches PTR review ‘call for evidence’
Ian Taylor
The government launched a review of the Package Travel Regulations (PTRs) last week which includes proposals to remove UK domestic packages from the regulatory requirements. A 12-week ‘call for evidence’,
launched by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), follows an informal review last year which suggested any changes to the PTRS would be relatively minor. However, the DBT is now considering more substantial reforms. Proposals include the removal of some or all UK domestic packages from the regulations and removal of packages below a certain price threshold. The consultation also includes
proposals for scrapping Linked Travel Arrangements (LTAs), a category of booking little understood, or bringing LTAs within the definition of a package. In addition, the DBT proposes
to clarify and simplify the definition and scope of “other tourism services” in the creation of a package, and to consult on increased flexibility in the
Kevin Hollinrake
or those below a certain value.” Launching the consultation,
business minister Kevin Hollinrake suggested it marked “a major step to cutting red tape”, saying: “Many holiday companies are faced with often over-burdensome regulations that make it difficult for them to grow.” The DBT noted “the unique
provision of insolvency protection. The consultation document
notes: “The government has received representations from the sector that the regulations work well overall but can often seem too complicated. A number of areas for improvement have been suggested.” It adds: “We are seeking views
on ways to retain a high level of consumer protection while reducing the burdens on consumers. These include removing some combinations of services from the scope of the regulations such as some or all domestic packages,
challenges consumers can face when things go wrong overseas” and said the consultation would consider “whether the same set of regulations for international holidays are needed for UK-based package holidays, as well as making rules more proportionate to businesses where industry groups say they are dissuaded from offering package- style arrangements because of disproportionate regulatory burdens”. It said the review would also
include “lessons learnt from the regime operated over the pandemic”. The European Commission has
its own review of the Package Travel Directive under way. The DBT plans a follow-up consultation on detailed
proposals in the first half of 2024. i Comment, facing page
CAA in line for stronger powers to enforce Atol rules
The CAA can expect new powers to enforce the Atol regime, including the ability to impose fines and seek undertakings from businesses without going to court, the government confirmed on Monday. Confirmation came in a letter
62 28 SEPTEMBER 2023
from aviation minister Baroness Vere to the CAA which noted: “I am aware of some existing non- compliance issues . . . and recognise a broadened enforcement toolkit may add useful flexibility.” The letter suggests the tougher
powers could “contribute towards deterring bad practice” following reform of the Atol scheme. But the minister’s letter also
calls on the CAA to use its existing powers “to suspend or revoke an Atol-holder company’s licence, as
well as the option to proceed with criminal prosecution”. Her letter states: “I am writing
to confirm the DfT’s intention to consider the introduction of a wider toolkit of enforcement powers for the CAA in relation to the Atol scheme . . . including the introduction of civil sanction powers [which] may provide useful incentives to encourage all businesses to comply with the new rules and contribute towards deterring any bad practice.”
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: David Woolfall
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
