Get Away - Your Route to Travel Rights
HolidayTravelWatch launched its own Travel-Zine in June 2006. A Government Survey has found that each man, woman and child spends nearly £13 per week on Package Holidays abroad. The Travel-Zine forms part of our overall campaigning strategy dealing with matters of Public Interest. We seek to highlight not only the threats to Travel Consumer’s Rights, but also to provide basic information on those rights. The Travel-Zine is free, published quarterly and is circulated by e mail. If you wish to join our mailing list, then please provide your details through our contact form. If you would like to view and download our earlier or latest Travel-Zine.
Please remember that the views expressed by guest articles are the views of that author or organisation.
- Issue 5 - June 2007 - In this issue we highlight three areas of growing concern - Aerotoxic Syndrome, How Safe are Kids Clubs, and the continuing threat to the Package Travel Regulations. Aerotoxic Syndrome is an issue that effects all air passengers, pilots and cabin crew. We have publicly called upon the Government to act to protect all air travellers and airline employees. In the continuing question - How Safe Are Kids Clubs, we highlight a disturbing story of a holidaymaker’s experience, and call for the Industry and Government to Act. The ever continuing story of the threat to The Package Travel Regulations features in its own stand alone article, as well as the HolidayTravelWatch Clinic. We have a guest feature from the Aerotoxic Association, highlighting the background to their very important work, with useful links to resources. We also analyse the green debate insofar as it relates to air travel, and suggest that the consumer will do the ‘right thing’, all they need is leadership from the Industry and Government. We celebrate our first year in print, and highlight the relevancy of our campaigning and advice work, on behalf of consumers. Get the June 2007 Get’Away Travel-Zine
- Issue 4 - May 2007 - In the fourth edition of the Travel-Zine we concentrate on the issue of standards in holiday contracts. Following the Corfu tragedy, we call for action to protect the rights of the consumer, enshrined under the Package Travel Regulations. We examine the growing trend to re-structure travel companies, from Principal to Agent, and the implications for the ordinary holidaymaker. We begin our series into holidaymakers experiences before the Small Claims Court, and provide initial guidance on how to prepare your case. Our HolidayTravelWatch Clinic follows the theme of Package Holiday vs DIY Holiday and provides for a difficult resolution to the holidaymaker’s problem. On the theme of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, we follow the route of a complaint made by a holidaymaker, and explore the potential for Neurotoxins within an aircraft cabin. We discuss rights on baggage under the Monteal Convention, continue our examination of rights where a ’significant change’ has been made to a holiday, and set out the ‘due diligence defence’ for tour operators under the Package Travel Regulations. Get the May 2007 Get’Away Travel-Zine
- Issue 3 - February 2007 - In the third edition of the Travel-Zine we officially launch the Campaign to call upon the Government to take immediate steps to protect Consumers Rights in Holiday Contracts. We call upon the Government to take action following the Court of Appeal decision in R v CAA, where the ’status’ and definition of what consitutes a Package Holiday is now open to interpretation. The case is now leading toward the splitting of the holiday contract, designed to avoid the requirements of ATOL and the Package Travel Regulations. In the absence of the law being strengthened, we call upon the Government to introduce a compulsory logo system to warn holidaymakers when they purchase a Package Holiday as to whether it also has Consumer Protections or not. We introduce a petition which can be signed online. We also ask whether kids clubs are safe, a further update as to consumer rights under 261/2004 when a flight has been cancelled, a guest article from International Cruise Victims, the latest from the HolidayTravelWatch Clinic™, and an update on how the potential cost of treating holiday illness and injury can be claimed by the NHS. Get the February 2007 Get’Away Travel-Zine
- Issue 2 - October 2006 - Special Extended Edition - In this second edition we expose the shameful cost of returning holiday illnesses. We conclude that the estimated cost to the Nation may be as high as £222m. We also provide comment on the recent Court of Appeal decision which will now lead to the abandonment of ATOL protection, and avoidance of obligations under the Package Travel Regulations. We highlight the real concern we have for holidaymakers rights and call for action from Government. Our latest feature on 261/2004 deals with denied boarding, and we have a guest article on vaccinations. We also have a brief article which questions the safety of kids clubs and provide information on brochure descriptions. Get the October Get’Away eZine
- Issue 1 - June 2006 - In this first edition we highlight the perilous state of consumer protection now being played out the the British Courts. This is a battle for the survival of ATOL Bonding and Package Travel Regulation Rights. Further articles deal with Force Majeure, Flight Delay Rights, and The HolidayTravelWatch Clinic, click on the following link to view the our Travel-Zine. Get the June Get’Away eZine
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HTW has noted that amongst the submissions to the Committee on Toxicity (COT) it has been suggested that the symptoms highlighted by crew and passengers were akin to the condition of hyperventilation.
HTW has for many years received reports from concerned holiday makers or independent travellers as to the safety of their aircraft, ship or boat, train or road transport.
