Some travel companies are continuing to break the law when advertising the cost of holidays, according to a leading industry lawyer.
Speaking at a recent Travel Industry Insights seminar organised by travel accountants Xeinadin, Travlaw Senior Partner Matt Gatenby said he was aware of ‘a number’ of companies that are not adhering to the rules.
He was referring to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, which requires travel companies to include all mandatory costs, including overseas taxes, in the advertised price.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been enforcing the Act since the end of 2025 and has made it clear the travel industry is in its crosshairs.
However, Matt told the session, hosted by Travel Gossip CEO Bruce Martin: “There are people out there who are not getting it right.”
He added: “There is the idea that the CMA have done this to push up standards and will now let go, but I have reason to believe this is not the case. I think they are going to really push this through.”
Urging travel companies to look at how they display their prices, he said: “Let’s not give them any easy wins.”
The CMA has recently opened an investigation into Virgin Atlantic to check if mandatory fees, such as resort charges, are included in the advertised price customers see at the start of the sale process.
The CMA stressed no finding has been made at this stage and it should not be assumed that the airline has broken the law.
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