A consultation with the industry had been due to take place in the wake of the referendum, but following the decision to leave the EU, industry experts have admitted this will likely now face significant delays.

Alan Bowen, legal advisor to the Association of Atol Companies, said he had written to the Department for Transport urging for clarity on the timeframe, but had not yet received a response.

“I don’t see how PTD [discussions] will continue,” he told TTG.

“The consultation was supposed to be coming out next month, but they will think they’ve got more important things to think about now.

“I don’t think it will be a priority, and I don’t think we’ll see anything on it until at least article 50 is enacted – we could be sitting on it for a while.”

Consultant Andy Cooper offered a more positive view, insisting that it would likely still be a focus for the government given its pro-consumer stance.

“I’d like to think they’ll still proceed and do the consultation, not least because essentially the directive is saying that protection needs have changed and therefore there’s clearly a need to update the legislation.

“But as with everything else related to Europe, it’s up for grabs,” he added.

Abta insisted it would endeavour to make PTD a priority in its discussions with the government.