In this latest edition we examine the effect of the fall of corporate responsibility in holiday contracts.  We suggest that new criminal offiences be created within the new Package Travel Regulations/Directive of failing to report or respond to a Bio-Hazard incident and where holidaymakers are exposed to sickness, for companies to be made responsible under a new offence of a Bio-Crime.  We also look at the continuing issue of Sick Aircraft Syndrome and the inspiration of Ms Downs who fought the UK Government on the issue of pesticides.  We look at EU Directive 2111/2005 and ask how this could be applied to aircraft fume incidents and enquiries.  Our guest article comes from Stephanie Trotter who heads Co Gas Safety.  She charts the issue of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and questions the impotency of action for the benefit of the consumer and citizen.  Our Case Study examines the appalling experience of one couple and how their substantial rights under the Package Travel Regulations where trampled upon.  Our final article provides a brief commentary on your right to have information provided to you on time whenever you book a Package Holiday. Read More

In February Molly dropped her daughter Sheree, aged 21 off at Heathrow to join her son Gary, aged 26 for the last week of his holiday in Tenerife. The next day she received a telephone call and nothing was ever the same again for the Maher family.  The call told Molly that Gary was dead and Sheree was critically ill and in a coma from an apparent suicide attempt with pills and gas. Peter, Molly’s husband took charge. Read More

HolidayTravelWatch has been contacted by holidaymakers since 2006, complaining of the ill effects of being exposed to a smoke or fume event on board commercial aircraft. Read More

HolidayTravelWatch welcomes the forthcoming BBC Panorama program, due to be broadcast on Monday 21 April 2008. The program will raise questions and concerns on the issue of poisonous fumes entering aircraft cabins. Read More

HolidayTravelWatch has noted amongst the submissions to the Committee on Toxicity (COT), that it has been suggested, that symptoms highlighted by crew and passengers, were akin to the condition of ‘hyperventilation’. Read More

When using self-catering apartments and villas make sure you know and understand how to use the appliances provided. Read More

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. Read More