Consumer protection for millions of holidays

The Government has announced moves to offer extra protection for people booking package holidays, saving consumers tens of millions of pounds a year.

The Business Department said it was closing loopholes that emerged because of the growing trend for booking holidays online.

A Package Travel Directive is being launched which ministers said will give new consumer protections for ten million holidays a year and save people tens of millions of pounds.

Under the directive, people who book holidays online through travel sites will have the same rights as those using traditional travel agents.

Business minister Andrew Griffiths said: “The measures that come into effect today will ensure holidaymakers are properly compensated if things do go wrong.”