Travel Guider

Most holidaymakers come home with tales of a have a highly satisfactory break, but it is not uncommon for an unlucky minority to return home completely dissatisfied with the package they have received. The question they then ask is what to do next and are they entitled to receive holiday complaint compensation. All UK tour providers have to abide by the Package Travel Regulations Act (1992).

If you find that your holiday is unsatisfactory whilst you are away, you should immediately contact your resort representative and highlight any problems you may have. In the best case scenario your issues may be resolved then and there. The rep should issue you a complaint form which should be filled in and signed by both parties. To strengthen your case, you should take photographs if possible and gather witnesses by swapping contact details with fellow holidaymakers. Follow this procedure even if your complaint is successfully dealt with; you could still be entitled to some holiday complaint compensation.
In some scenarios your complaint may not be resolved during your holiday. You should go directly to your travel agent who will in most cases be keen to avoid bad publicity so should be obliging. There is a strict set of Package Travel Regulations which the company should not violate. If your package holiday includes at least two of the following features – transport, accommodation, tourist services (trips etc) – you will be covered by the act. Remind them of this and ask for holiday complaint compensation.
If your travel agent is not forthcoming in refunding your money, write them a final letter before taking the matter to an independent arbitration scheme, The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) can be of help here. In some cases you could go directly to the small claims court but you should seek independent advice first.
The holidaymaker pays a hard earned amount of money for their trip so it should meet their standards, otherwise holiday complaint compensation can rightly be expected.

Posted in Travel Guides

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