Travel Advice

The urge or desire to travel is a basic human instinct. As man and society has developed, generations of travellers have experienced new sights, sounds, tastes and diverse contact. The pleasure and joy of travel is always further enhanced by good preparation. HolidayTravelWatch would hope that your own travelling experience can be strengthened by the simple advices contained in the Travel Advice section.

The section is broken down into several categories:

1. ‘Prepare’ advice pages are designed to provoke and guide you to create your own method of preparation before you travel (Linked below).

2. Our ‘Action’ action pages provides information and guidance on how to deal with problems whilst you are in resort (Linked below).

3. The ‘Resolve’ pages provides information on how to deal with pursuing claims when you return to the UK (Linked below). To complement the ‘Resolve’ pages, we have added,

4. The ‘Holiday Compensation’ pages, which provide practical guidance through its articles and/or information gleaned from our ‘Call to Arms’ on the current complaints received by this Organisation (Linked below).

Our information areas are not intended to be exhaustive; they draw upon our own experiences of providing guidance to travellers and also that provided by government and non-governmental bodies.

Whatever type of Holiday or Travel arrangements are booked, we would suggest that all British travellers ensure that such arrangements are provided by a reputable operator, covered by the ABTA and/or ATOL schemes.

HolidayTravelWatch truly hopes that you have an enjoyable travel experience. The sections can be accessed through the following links:

Listed below are examples of articles contained within the sub-sections above and the full range of articles can be accessed by clicking on the links above, or through the category menu on the left. Please read our Legal Notice at the bottom of this page.

Call for a new relationship between the Consumer & The Aviation Industry

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Call to EU Commission to create real and sustainable Air Passenger Rights

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Since the latter part of 2009, Consumer Organisations and The Travel Industry have been engaged in a lengthy Political Consultation process, to determine the future of Consumer or Travel Industry Rights and Obligations or Safety Issues. HolidayTravelWatch has been fully engaged in this process and has responded to the European Commission’s request for Stakeholders to provide comment upon Air Passenger Rights.
The report centres in on the Commissions questions on EU Directives 889/2002 (Air Carrier Liability), 96/67 (Baggage Handling/Ground Handling), 261/2004 (Denied Boarding, Delayed Flights and Cancelled Flights), 1107/2006 (Reduced Mobility Rights), 1008/2008 (Common Rules for Air Operations) and 2111/2005 (Air Safety Issues). Read More

Call for EASA to act on Aerotoxic or Sick Aircraft Syndrome

Friday, March 12th, 2010

^{Since the latter part of 2009, Consumer Organisations and The Travel Industry have been engaged in a lengthy Political Consultation process, to determine the future of Consumer or Travel Industry Rights and Obligations or Safety Issues. HolidayTravelWatch has been fully engaged in this process and has responded to the European Aviation Safety Agency’s request for Stakeholders to provide comment upon ‘Cabin Air Quality onboard Large Aeroplanes’}

^{Our report highlights that 63% of passengers surveyed declared that they had experienced smoke/fumes onboard aircraft. We found that many suffered with symptoms of light-headiness, disorientation, chest problems and skin conditions. We also discovered that a number of passengers continued to suffer with these symptoms along with irritability, behavioural problems, neurological difficulties, depression and other physical and psychological problems.}

^{HolidayTravelWatch provided further Consumer comment, supplementing that already given to The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority in June 2009.}

^{Frank Brehany, the Senior Consumer Advocate for HolidayTravelWatch states:}

^{“We have monitored and reported on this important issue since 2006. There appears to be an impasse between Government and Campaigners, perhaps fuelled by the fear of expensive litigation. We have called for the immediate installation of filters on all bleed aircraft, an obligatory reporting system for crew and passengers alike and the creation of a ‘no fault protocol’, uniting passengers, crew, airlines, manufacturers, oil companies, scientists, lawyers and politicians in a quest to resolve this important 21st century problem. I ask; is that too much to ask in order to guarantee safety – will EASA act to protect the interests of all aviation stakeholders?”} Read More

Consumer Objectives & The Aviation Industry – Response by HolidayTravelWatch to The UK Department for Transport

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

In the final Public Consultation this season, The UK Department for Transport has requested that stakeholders offer their views on their proposals to update the regulatory environment for the aviation industry. HolidayTravelWatch has responded to their detailed questionnaire, dealing with the effect of their proposals on the proposed ‘Consumer Objectives’ – Safety – Consumers – Environment. Many of the complaints we receive centre around failures under EU Directive 261/2004 (Denied Boarding, Flight Delays and Flight Cancellations), EU Directive 1107/2006 (Rights to Persons of Reduced Mobility), EU Directive 211/2005 (Issues concerning aircraft safety – eg EU Blacklist of Airlines etc) and lost and/or damaged luggage disputes. We have responded to this Consultation in a manner which is informative, constructive but nonetheless critical. We have called upon all stakeholders, to meet the challenges of dialogue and progress with Politicians and Consumers, to create a new deal and a truly sustainable future for the UK and EU airline industry! Read More

Air Passenger Rights – Report to The EU Commission – The Consumer Perspective!

Friday, February 26th, 2010

The EU Commission, through DG Mobility & Transport have ordered a Consultation into Air Passenger Rights. Such rights involve areas such as EU Directives 889/2002 (Air Carriers Liability – particularly on the issue of mishandled luggage), 96/67 (Baggage-handling/Ground-handling), 261/2004 (Denied Boarding, Flight Delays & Flight Cancellation), 1107/2006 (Reduced Mobility Passenger Rights), 1008/2008 (Common Rules for Air Operations) and 2111/2005 (Air Safety Issues). We have reported on the issues of flight rights, aircraft safety issues, lost or damaged luggage and financial protection for holidaymakers and air passengers. Read More