- Uncertainty still surrounds the impact a ‘no’ vote would certainly have actually on tourists
- The price of airfare or package holidays could rise in a domino effect
- Britons risk losing necessary consumer protections for flight cancellations
- Some believe prices for trips to Spain and Portugal will certainly stay competitive
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Britons could end up paying a lot more for holidays to continental Europe and they risk losing necessary consumer protections if they vote to leave the EU, travel experts say.
Industry observers issued the warning despite the fact that uncertainty surrounds the 23 June referendum and the impact a ‘no’ vote would certainly have actually on holidaymakers and business travellers.
Experts said the price of airfare and package holidays could increase in a domino effect and UK-based airlines could be put at a disadvantage if a dramatic Brexit occurs.
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Experts said Britons could end up paying a lot more for airfare and package holidays in a domino effect
Frank Brehany, consumer director of HolidayTravelWatch, said any added costs for airlines or tour operators will certainly be passed on to the consumer.
He said one of the key rights that passengers would certainly shed in numerous circumstances relates to flight delays or cancellations.
Passengers are currently eligible for financial compensation if a flight departing from an EU airport or arriving in the eurozone along with an EU carrier is delayed for a reason within the airline’s control.
But that regulation would certainly no longer apply to those flying from UK airports along with airlines such as British Airways, easyJet or Monarch.
That could lead to claims for compensation landing in court.
Brehany said: ‘There would certainly be increased litigation versus the UK-based airlines because consumers would certainly hope to recapture some of their rights.’
Passengers could additionally shed the right to food, drink and overnight accommodation once there is a major disruption, he warned.
He added: ‘On the question of pricing if you are flying along with a UK-based airline I could foresee a situation where the airline may have actually to or would certainly be subject to extra fees if flying in to and from [EU countries].
‘It’s a potential double whammy for consumers and additionally for the airlines themselves.’
If a Brexit occurs, passengers that routine along with UK-based airlines risk losing necessary consumer protections
Such a scenario could make UK-based airlines much less attractive to consumers, that may opt to fly along with carriers that operate from the EU, he added.
Brehany said: ‘I can’t pretty honestly see the guys down here at Westminster reinstating those consumer rights under UK legislation because generally Westminster is not terribly good at making consumer protection regulation.’
A white paper on European reform, backed by Prime Minister David Cameron, claimed airfares and mobile phone roaming charges would certainly increase, However leave campaigners blasted the paper as propaganda.
Brehany said a Brexit would certainly additionally mean that the EU’s brand-new package holiday rules, which offer a lot more rights to tourists, would certainly not apply in Britain once they are introduced in June 2018.
The rules are expected to save consumers regarding £330million a year and include stronger cancellation rights in the event of a natural disaster or war.
Holidaymakers will certainly additionally have the ability to cancel their trip for any reason by paying a reasonable fee or transfer it to one more traveller.
Joel Brandon-Bravo, UK Managing Director for Travelzoo, said he would certainly expect some immediate fluctuation in both travel booking patterns and pricing in the weeks following a Brexit as markets respond.
He added: ‘Whether the pound weakens or the euro weakens versus the pound is impossible to predict, yet all analysts predict volatility following such a major modification to the EU. We might see the pound and euro suffer versus non-European currencies so travel outside the EU might become a lot more expensive.’
In terms of where British tourists would certainly travel to, he doesn’t expect patterns to modification much in the long term.
He added: ‘We would certainly expect prices to stay competitive as top destinations such as Spain, France and Italy depend heavily on the tourism spend of British tourists, so we would certainly be surprised to see EU member countries hitting the British consumer hard along with additional taxes, fees and restrictions on entering their countries.’
Prof John Fletcher, Bournemouth University, said the effect of Brexit on tourism is difficult to predict, However he thinks travel to EU countries would certainly go on to be relatively hassle free.
He added: ‘British spenders in Europe are substantial and the EU will certainly not hope to jeopardise that – travel to Spain is really necessary for them, as is France and Portugal.’
Last week, easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall claimed the cost of air travel could rise, while Peter Long, the former head of TUI, the world’s largest tour operator, suggested a Brexit could compromise the safety of Britons abroad as close ties are called for to thwart or respond to acts of terrorism.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of Global Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, has actually already voiced his support for the ‘stay’ campaign, saying he is in favour of the UK remaining in a reformed EU. It is Walsh’s personal opinion, as neither IAG nor British Airways has actually taken a side.
Yet some experts said it’s still too early to gauge the impact a Brexit could have.
Bob Atkinson, travel expert at TravelSupermarket, said: ‘It is impossible to predict exactly just what the impact will certainly be on travel, if the UK was to leave the EU. We don’t really know just what Brexit means.
‘We don’t even know if we would certainly stay a member of the EEA, or which EU laws may still apply if we negotiate a placement along with the rest of Europe.
‘The open skies agreement, EHIC health cards, flight compensation claims are all points which could be affected by leaving the EU.
‘However it would certainly simply be pure speculation at the moment to comment on just what might happen until the politicians have actually spelled the selections out for us.’
Abta, the Association of British Travel Agents, and Deloitte are preparing to launch a report, titled just what might Brexit mean for UK travel?, next month.
from Golden Land Travel http://ift.tt/1XL64ck
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