What do they mean I have a DIY Holiday?

I have noticed that some of the calls we are getting are from concerned UK holidaymakers, involve them being told that their holiday complaints are not covered by the Package Travel Regulations!  They are being advised of this by not only by the travel companies themselves, but also by solicitors who clearly do not understand the regulations and I would question whether they have actually heard of them!

This problem for UK and EU Consumers started back in 2005, when in a case before the Court of Appeal, there was an attempt to 'split' the package holiday into component products.  This attempt created problems for Consumers, because companies claimed that 'we are all travel agents now' as a result of the choices we make on the internet and therefore your rights are limited by your contract!

Buying a holiday off the internet is no different to going into a shop and choosing from a hard copy brochure; when you choose your holiday this way:

1. You choose the country you want to travel to;
2. You identify several resorts you want to visit until you make the final choice;
3. You then choose from several hotels;
4. You then flip to the back of the brochure to choose your departure airport and the times you want to fly;
5. You pay one price for this arrangement.

This is recognised as a package holiday!

What then is the difference between that way of booking your holiday and doing it online?

Apparently it's the terms and conditions! Companies think that they are free of their obligations under the Regulations by claiming they don't sell Package Holidays, but the government and the EU Commission think differently!

So if you find that your holiday complaints are being dealt with like this, read our full guide or give us a call; we would be happy to help you!