Why Adhering to The Package Travel Regulations Matters: What Every Photography Tour Customer Should Know
When booking a photography tour, holiday, or workshop, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement—stunning destinations, expert guidance, and the promise of unforgettable shots. But there’s one crucial factor that too many customers overlook: legal compliance and financial protection.
If your provider isn’t adhering to The Package Travel Regulations 2018, you could be at serious risk. From unexpected cancellations to financial losses, booking with an unregulated operator can leave you stranded—and with no safety net.
At Trackside Focus, we take this responsibility seriously and have done since day one. We ensure full compliance with UK law, backed by specialist insurance from an ABTA-approved provider, so our clients can book with complete confidence. This requires a significant financial commitment for our emerging micro-business, especially in its early stages of growth. However, we firmly believe that ensuring our clients are fully protected and safe is not just a priority—it’s a responsibility we take seriously.
But why should this matter to you? Let’s break it down.
1. Your Money and Booking Should Be Protected
The Package Travel Regulations (PTR) 2018 exist to protect customers when booking package holidays, and photography tours are no exception to this. These laws require providers to have financial protection in place—so if a company goes bust, cancels, or fails to deliver the trip as promised, customers are legally entitled to a refund or alternative arrangements.
Shockingly, the vast majority of photography tour providers in the UK do not comply. That means if something goes wrong, you could lose everything with no legal recourse. Whether the tour is in the UK or abroad, the same regulations apply.
When booking, always look for companies that:
✔️ Are members of ABTOT or ABTA, ensuring financial protection.
✔️ Or have specialist insurance from an ABTA-approved provider.
✔️ Operate legally within the scope of UK regulations.
2. If a Tour Is Cancelled, You Shouldn’t Be Left in the Dark
Without proper protection, an operator can cancel a trip and keep your money—or refuse to provide a refund. PTR-compliant businesses, like Trackside Focus, must offer a full refund or an alternative trip.
Imagine booking your dream motorsport photography tour—only to have the operator disappear without a trace. It happens more than you think, so don’t take that risk.
3. Travel Disruptions? You Deserve Legal Protection
If something unexpected happens—such as a hotel closing, an airline strike, or a key event being cancelled—legitimate operators must assist their customers. This means arranging alternative accommodations, transport, or refunds where necessary. If you book with a provider that isn’t legally compliant, you’re on your own or at the mercy of the operators guilty conscience or good will.
Many people believe that a simple travel insurance policy will cover you in these situations however that is misguided information. Travel Insurance generally covers things like medical emergencies, lost baggage, or trip cancellations due to personal reasons, but it typically doesn’t cover a tour operator going bust before or during your holiday. This is why it’s essential to book with a company that adheres to these regulations.
4. Accreditation Means Professionalism and Reliability
Membership in ABTOT or ABTA isn’t just about compliance—it’s a mark of trust. These organisations have strict codes of conduct, ensuring that their members meet high standards of service, transparency, and financial security.
However, for young startups and new businesses, joining these bodies isn’t immediately possible—they must first prove their track record and financial stability over time. That doesn’t mean they can’t provide the same level of protection however. New and responsible operators, like Trackside Focus, ensure compliance by taking out premium specialist insurance from an ABTA-approved provider. This means our clients receive the same financial security as they would with a long-established tour operator.
5. Luxury Travel Demands the Highest Standards—And That Includes Compliance
At Trackside Focus, we don’t just offer photography tours—we provide high-end, luxury experiences designed for discerning clients who expect nothing but the very best. Our clients invest in premium, often once-in-a-lifetime photography holidays, and we believe that level of quality should be matched by absolute peace of mind when booking.
Our clients invest in exclusive and luxury motorsport photography holidays, and we take that investment seriously. That’s why we have taken every measure to ensure compliance with UK travel laws, backed by specialist insurance from an ABTA-approved provider.
Luxury should never mean taking unnecessary risks. When you book with us, you are not only getting an exceptional photography experience but also the peace of mind that comes with booking through a fully compliant, legally registered, and financially protected tour operator. Our compliance is a reflection of our commitment to quality, integrity, and our client care.
Why Trackside Focus Stands Out
At Trackside Focus, we are one of the only UK-based photography tour operators that fully complies with The Package Travel Regulations 2018. We ensure:
Full financial protection through specialist insurance from an ABTA-approved provider.
Compliance with UK law, so your booking is safe.
High standards of professionalism, ensuring a seamless, worry-free experience.
Many providers of photography tours and holidays are not officially registered tour operators, which means they may not be adhering to the necessary legal requirements or providing the proper financial protection for their customers. In contrast, Trackside Focus has been a fully registered tour operator from day one, ensuring that we meet all the legal obligations set out under UK law, including the Package Travel Regulations (PTR). Additionally, we have specific tour operator insurance in place, which offers further security for our clients. This registration and insurance guarantee that our clients are safeguarded, providing you with peace of mind that other providers, who aren’t properly registered, simply can’t offer.
Final Thought: Don’t Gamble with Your Photography Holiday
When booking a photography tour, don’t just look at the itinerary—look at the company’s legal and financial security. If they’re not compliant with The Package Travel Regulations, you’re taking a risk with your money and experience.
While it may be tempting to choose a photography tour based on price alone, cheaper isn’t always cheaper in the long run. If an operator is cutting costs by ignoring legal compliance, you could end up losing far more—whether that’s through last-minute cancellations with no refund, unexpected costs, or being left stranded without support. Higher prices often reflect proper legal compliance, better client care, and more safety nets to protect your booking and your experience. When booking a photography holiday, consider investing in security, professionalism, and peace of mind—because your dream trip should never be a gamble.
It’s important to note that the Package Travel Regulations (PTR) apply specifically to package holidays, which typically involve a combination of services like travel, accommodation, and activities. One-day events don’t fall under these regulations.
ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) is a government-backed scheme that protects customers when booking flights, ensuring they’re refunded or repatriated if the company goes bust. While ATOL is widely recognised, it covers flight-inclusive packages, not the broader range of tours or holidays. Most people have heard of ATOL, but the Package Travel Regulations (PTR), which offer similar protections for non-flight packages, aren’t seemingly as well-known. It’s important to recognise that PTR applies to a wider array of travel services, like those offered by Trackside Focus, ensuring comprehensive protection for your trip.
Before booking, ask the hard questions:
Is the company compliant with The Package Travel Regulations 2018?
Do they have financial protection through ABTOT, ABTA, or an ABTA-approved insurance provider?
What happens if my tour is cancelled or disrupted?
At Trackside Focus, we believe that our clients deserve security, professionalism, and a tour operator they can trust. Don’t settle for anything less. Your dream photography holiday should be stress-free—before, during, and after the trip.
