The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations were introduced in 2018. The Regulations give protection to holidaymakers and ensure that you get what you pay for when you book a package holiday.
What do the regulations mean for LSE?
Most if not all of our group travel will fall under the Regulations as we organise regular trips for our students. We book flights, accommodation and transport and in some cases ask students to contribute financially.
Even if we use a tour operator such as World Strides, the School still has a responsibility in law to our travellers.
If travel is organised ‘in house’ you need to be aware that the School will have to accept responsibility for services provided by others, such as accommodation and transport. It also creates a liability for events outside the School's control. This could be illness, injury or even death caused by one of the suppliers or their employees. This could lead to civil proceedings for compensation. You will also need to make sure that any money paid by travellers is protected, failure to do so is a criminal offence.
If you are using a Tour Operator as a minimum you will need to check the following:
-
The tour operator is an ABTA member, this will ensure that payments are protected in case the tour operator goes bust.
-
If the tour Operator is accepting liability as an ‘organiser’ or what parts of the trip they will accept liability for.
-
If there is air travel you should receive an ATOL Certificate clearly stating which elements of the trip are protected.
-
You will also need to let the Health and Safety Team know about the trip.
If you are booking flights, accommodation or other transport separately you will need to:
-
Contact the health and safety team as early as possible to discuss the trip and what arrangements you need to have in place.
-
Consider booking flights and accommodation via the School’s contracted Travel Management Company, Diversity who are ATOL protected.
-
Check that the School’s Public Liability insurance will cover the trip – the Health and Safety Team can help with this.