22 Aug
2019

CMA to speak at ABTA’s annual Consumer Law seminar

ABTA’s annual seminar returns for its fourth year to support Members and the wider travel industry, offering practical guidance on the latest consumer protection legislation surrounding the marketing and selling of holidays. 

In the past couple of years, the travel industry has witnessed a renewed focus on consumer rights. 2018 saw the introduction of the new Package Travel Regulations, PSD2 and GDPR. Amongst other changes, including the CAA’s 1 April ATOL information rules, this year has seen the introduction of new principles from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as a result of its investigation into online accommodation booking sites. 

ABTA is pleased to announce that the CMA will be joining the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Travlaw at its seminar next month to discuss the results of its investigation and subsequent new principles around acceptable practices including search rankings, reference prices, hidden charges and pressure selling. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to put your questions to the regulators and legal experts around responsible advertising, misleading content and pricing guidance. The day will also provide a legal surgery for businesses to iron out specific concerns around existing regulations. 

Alongside pricing guidance and advice around misleading content, ABTA and marketing experts will provide a comprehensive recap on the existing consumer protection legislation to ensure that travel businesses are marketing holidays efficiently and dynamically. This will include revisiting the changing world of terms and conditions, as well as digital marketing practices (including the recent changes to the rules around the use of cookies) and addressing any outstanding queries travel businesses may have in relation to the PTRs.

ABTA’s Consumer Law in the Marketing and Selling of Holidays seminar will be held on 26 September at ABTA’s offices in central London. Senior Partner at Travlaw, Matt Gatenby will moderate the day and will be joined by speakers from ABTA, RedEye, Gold Medal, the ASA and the CMA. To find out more, view the full agenda and register your place, click here.