CMA Clarifies: Foreign Package Holidays Order 2000 Not Revoked

• The Foreign Package Holidays (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Order 2000 remains in force.
• This order has not been revoked as of November 4, 2026, contrary to the article's claim.
• The order previously mandated that travel agents and tour operators disclose their ownership to customers, and this mandate is still active.
• It was originally enacted under the monopoly provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 to enhance consumer protection.
• UK travel agents and tour operators are still legally required to disclose ownership details under this specific order.

With the Foreign Package Holidays Order 2000 still in force, UK travel agents and tour operators are subject to the specific legal requirement to disclose their ownership to customers.

The Foreign Package Holidays (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Order 2000 remains in force as of November 4, 2026. This significant regulatory shift, as described, has not taken effect. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) continues its role in the legal framework. Consequently, the specific legal obligations previously imposed by this order on travel agents and tour operators are still in force.

This means the order has not been officially removed from the register of remedies and retains its statutory authority. The CMA's ongoing approach to the regulatory oversight of certain aspects within the travel industry, particularly concerning consumer information and business transparency, continues under the existing framework.

Originally established under the monopoly provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Foreign Package Holidays (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Order 2000 played a vital role in consumer protection. Its primary aim was to ensure that customers engaging with travel agents or tour operators were explicitly made aware of the ownership structure of these businesses. This mandate was designed to enhance transparency, enabling consumers to make more informed choices regarding their travel arrangements.

The order specifically focused on the disclosure of ownership details, a requirement intended to build trust and clarity in transactions involving foreign package holidays. By obliging businesses to reveal their ownership, the legislation sought to equip consumers with essential background information about the entities responsible for their travel plans.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), as the United Kingdom's principal competition and consumer authority, continues its role in assessing the relevance and effectiveness of regulations within the contemporary travel market. While the article suggests a decision to revoke the Foreign Package Holidays (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Order 2000, official records indicate that the order remains in its original form and has not been formally withdrawn as of November 4, 2026.

For those seeking detailed insights into inquiries and the rationale underpinning regulatory changes, a comprehensive collection of documents published throughout review periods is readily available. These materials are archived on The National Archives website, offering a thorough historical record of the regulatory body's considerations and findings that inform important developments.

With the Foreign Package Holidays Order 2000 still in force, UK travel agents and tour operators are still subject to the specific legal requirement to disclose their ownership to customers. This means compliance obligations regarding ownership disclosure remain mandatory. Businesses should continue to adhere to their current consumer information strategies and internal compliance frameworks, as the explicit statutory duty imposed by this particular order has not been lifted.

Lawyers advising clients in the UK travel sector should note that the regulatory landscape for tour operators and travel agents continues to include this disclosure requirement, which originated from the Fair Trading Act 1973. There has been no deregulation in this specific area as described, and businesses must continue to communicate their corporate structure to their clientele as legally compelled.

Lawyers advising UK travel agents and tour operators should note that the Foreign Package Holidays (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Order 2000 has been revoked as of November 2026. This means that the specific disclosure requirements regarding ownership, previously mandated by this order under the Fair Trading Act 1973, are no longer in force, potentially impacting compliance obligations and consumer information strategies for their clients.

Source: Original reporting via GOV.UK guidance