The so-called Beast from the East shut schools, closed roads and left trains and flights cancelled. And it wasn’t just Britain that was shivering – blizzards also descended on much of western Europe, with even the Cote d’Azur and Rome hit by the white stuff.
The travel industry – or rather the rogue operators within it – also felt an icy chill this week.
New consultation documents released by the government propose giving more power to the CAA to issue fines and stop notices on those businesses that flout Atol rules. The move is part of an effort to ensure the Atol system complies with the EU’s Package Travel Directive, which takes effect from July 1. And it’s a change that could prove significant.
Currently the CAA is able to launch criminal prosecutions against those who breach Atol regulations, but such cases demand a higher burden of proof and often result in a drain on resources.
As the DfT openly admits, the CAA’s current enforcement powers are “quite limited”.
The proposed changes would see the CAA finally given the ability to take civil action, making it easier and quicker (at least in theory) to clamp down on those who violate Atol rules.
It’s a move that has been welcomed by industry figures. TTG coverage in the past has demonstrated that rogue traders who breach regulations or falsely advertise Atol badges not only often leave consumers out of pocket, but discredit the Atol brand and do a disservice to the many agents and operators who play by the rules.
The CAA and DfT are appealing to the trade for comments on the matter, so make sure you add your voice to the proceedings. Stronger powers of enforcement can only be positive for the travel industry, to leave crooked travel companies out in the cold for good.
