pilgrims’ progress: keep it legal Spring 2017 hajj Once a booking is made, consumers should also be issued with an individual ATOL certi cate Hajj tour operators are reminded to follow the letter of the law this pilgrimage season Every year, thousands of Muslims from the Midlands perform either the hajj or Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi arabia. The pilgrimages are booked through specialist travel operators who provide tour packages. however, only some of these travel operators can obtain the required visas from the Saudi ministry. Trading Standards advises all operators that they must comply with consumer protection legislation. First and foremost is the need to have an air Travel Operators’ Licence (aTOL) issued by the Civil aviation authority. This safeguards consumers’ money should the operator run into nancial di culties while they are abroad. Birmingham Trading Standards has carried out extensive work in this area but, unfortunately, still nds examples of travel operators trading without this documentation. Some businesses claim to be an agent of another business that has been issued with an aTOL. If this is the case, it should be clearly displayed and there should be a written agency agreement con rming arrangements between the principal and the agent business. Trading Standards would urge all operators to consult the Civil aviation authority about aTOL and agency agreements. all travel operators must also comply with the provision of the Package Travel Regulations (PTRs) 1992. Brochures and internet sites must include information on price, destination, transport, accommodation and itinerary. In addition, before a contract is concluded, the customer must be given information on passport/visa requirements, health requirements, insurance, security and repatriation arrangements in case of insolvencies. This information needs to be given in writing. Once a booking is made, consumers should also be issued with an individual aTOL certi cate. Travel operators should ensure all descriptions are true and accurate. Customers should not be misled about the nature of ights, accommodation and other services, or the travel operator may be committing breaches of The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Trading Standards urge all hajj and Umrah travel operators to be conversant with the above legislative requirements, and to contact Birmingham Trading Standards should they need further advice. Following complaints from distraught pilgrims, Trading Standards Services have in recent years carried out investigations that have led to court cases. If you are aware of other businesses outing the law, you may want to report them to prevent would-be pilgrims from being ripped o. FinD OUT MOrE please report any concerns to the Citizens Advice national Consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06. if you feel that you have been a victim of fraud – such as when a travel operator takes payments and disappears without providing any package – then please report the crime to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk Credit: Vir ahluwalia Images: iStock.com / aviator70 For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service