Are you going on holiday? Is the holiday part of a package? If so, the snappily titled Package Travel, Package Holidays And Package Tours Regulations 1992 are there to protect you from the time you book until you return.

These regulations, which introduced civil liabilities and criminal offences, set out travel organisers' responsibilities to their customers, and the remedies available should there be a breach of the regulations.

In addition, a system of consumer protection was created to protect clients against the insolvency of tour operators.

Anyone who organises or sells package holidays, whether the holidays are in the UK or abroad, is bound by the Package Travel Regulations. However, the regulations apply to packages only - a pre-arranged combination sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price covering a period of 24 hours which includes at least two of the following - transport, accommodation or other significant tourist services.

Anyone who organises packages more than occasionally, whether they are for profit or not, must abide by the regulations.

Whereas the purpose of the original European Directive was to regulate conventional package holidays - two weeks of sun, sea and sand, the scope of the Regulations goes far beyond this.

They may, for example, cover a "murder-mystery weekend", a fly drive holiday, chartering a yacht and skipper, a golfing holiday, or a theatre package.

Anyone encountering problems with their holiday before they travel, perhaps in respect of lack of information/misleading information, changes and cancellation, or finds something goes wrong while they are away should phone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for assistance and advice.

The regulations are complex, and detailed advice and guidance is available to York businesses by City of York Council's Trading Standards Service. Trading Standards Officers are responsible for enforcement of the provisions of the regulations carrying criminal sanctions.

A DTI booklet is available to local traders by phoning 01904 552519.

Updated: 09:59 Thursday, July 07, 2005