The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has urged its members to consult its updated guidelines on the requirements of the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which states that all fees and taxes that travelers must pay at their destination must be included in the total prices offered to customers.
On November 18, the CMA issued its first guidance on the new rules for travel sellers, but almost immediately sent letters warning businesses that they had three months to comply or face penalties.
ABTA noted that it has issued “many warnings and advice” to its members, warning of “potential, extremely serious consequences” if businesses “do not take the appropriate measures.” He also reiterated that the new rules apply to both travel agencies and tour operators.
“CMA has made it clear that it will take action against any company that does not include the necessary fees and charges that must be paid upon arrival or departure of the traveler at hotels, ports or airports,” the association warned.
ABTA today (Tuesday, February 17, 2026) emphasized that it has informed the CMA that “in most cases, travel agencies will be selling a product with a price set by the travel agent or supplier.”
The CMA in turn said it would take this into consideration, but that travel agencies must do what they can to ensure that the prices they advertise or provide are final, including all additional charges.
The ABTA lawyer, Paula Macfarlane, told the British travel news website, Travel Weekly: “Many of our members are taking steps to comply with the CMA’s guidelines. It is extremely important that everyone takes the time to review their prices to ensure they are not violating the regulation.”
He emphasized that the latest ABTA guidelines “sum up the issue and bring together its guidance to date,” noting: “We continue to receive questions as members work on changing their price lists and we have asked [CMA] for clarification on a few issues.”
Specifically, ABTA has requested clarification on issues such as how the breakdown of prices is displayed and the meaning of “reasonably indicative” exchange rate.
It is recommended that travel service providers inform customers of the “total price,” with the amount to be “paid now” and the amount to be “paid at the accommodation,” along with an explanatory note that the total price “includes approximately x amount of tax, payable at the accommodation” with the exchange rate on which it is based, noting that both local taxes and the exchange rate may change before the payment date.
Heavy traffic for online travel agencies
Alan Bowen, legal adviser to the Association of Tour Operators, described the implementation of the changes as a “challenge,” saying, “If you sell online, you have to change almost every page of the booking system and modify the booking terms. This means many hours of work for small business owners, the busiest time of the year.” He also pointed out that everything cannot be completed within three months.
Addressing its member businesses, ABTA stated that they “must comply as soon as possible” and reminded travel agencies that all travel companies must comply with the guidelines.
“Although the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance will remain with tour operators in relation to package sales, travel agencies must also take steps to ensure that all products they offer to their customers include taxes and fees that must be paid upon arrival or departure at hotels, ports, or airports,” Ms. Macfarlane said.
And concluded: “The CMA’s guidelines contain some examples that concern travel agencies, such as how to include local taxes in an advertisement that only concerns accommodation. ABTA members can also access ABTA’s guidelines on this important issue on our website.
