ABTA is reminding agents that new holiday-pricing rules apply to all businesses providing travel arrangements to customers, including retailers.
The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) pricing guidance makes it clear that all quoted prices must include unavoidable taxes and fees payable on arrival or departure at hotels, ports or airports.
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which came into force in April 2025, the CMA can fine companies up to 10% of their global turnover for non-compliance.
In a statement released today (17 February), ABTA said: “This applies to any business providing a price for travel arrangements to a consumer, including travel agents.
“ABTA has made the CMA aware that, in most cases, agents will be selling a product with the price set by a tour operator or supplier. The CMA said it would take this into account but that agents must do all they can to make sure the prices they are advertising or providing are total prices, including everything.”
The rules apply to social media posts, in addition to websites and printed material.
ABTA said that since the release of CMA guidance on the new pricing rules, tour operators have been ‘working hard’ to incorporate all taxes and fees into their prices.
ABTA Senior Solicitor Paula Macfarlane said: “All travel companies should be aware of the CMA’s guidance.
“Although in relation to package-holiday sales, the main responsibility will remain with tour operators to ensure they are compliant, agents should also take steps to ensure that whatever they are offering to customers, the price includes unavoidable taxes and fees payable on arrival or departure at hotels, ports or airports.
“The CMA guidance contains some examples that are relevant to travel agents, such as how to include local taxes in an advert for accommodation only. ABTA members can also access ABTA’s guidance on this important issue on our website.”
Guidance for ABTA members can be found in the MemberZone on the ABTA website.
