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Frequently Asked Questions
CMA Price Regulations
What is the CMA Price Transparency regulation?
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) introduced the Price Transparency regulation to ensure that all travel providers give customers clear, honest and upfront pricing.
This means that the total price you see for your holiday must include all mandatory costs, so you can make an informed decision without hidden surprises later.
The regulation applies to all UK travel brands and is designed to protect customers by making holiday prices easier to compare across different companies.
Some destinations charge local taxes or mandatory fees that must be paid either:
- Directly to the hotel or local authority when you arrive, or
- Upfront as part of your holiday price, collected by the travel brand.
The CMA requires us to be transparent about these charges so that you always know:
- What is included in the total price
- What you may still need to pay in destination
- Why these fees exist
- Who collects them
This ensures you have a complete picture of the cost of your holiday before you book.
Mandatory fees and taxes are charges set by local governments, tourism authorities, or accommodation providers. They are not optional and apply to all travellers staying in certain destinations or types of accommodation.
These fees are not set by us, but we are required to show them clearly as part of the total holiday price.
Some destinations require guests to pay certain taxes directly at the hotel when they check in or check out.
These fees are usually collected by the local authority and cannot be paid in advance.
Examples include:
- Tourist Tax – charged per person per night in many European cities
- Eco Contribution – environmental or sustainability fees in destinations such as Malta
- Resort Fees – common in the USA, covering amenities like Wi Fi or pool access
- Local City Tax – applied by municipalities to support tourism infrastructure
When these apply, we will show them clearly during booking under “To Pay in Destination” so you know exactly what to expect.
Some fees must be collected by the travel brand and are therefore included in the price you pay upfront. Examples include:
- Airport taxes and charges
- Government imposed tourism levies included in the accommodation contract
- Environmental or sustainability fees that must be prepaid
- Local authority taxes that the hotel invoices to the travel provider rather than the guest
These will be included and shown as part of your total holiday price.
The CMA regulation ensures:
- No hidden costs
- Clear and honest pricing
- Better ability to compare holidays
- Full visibility of what you pay now and what you may pay later
- Confidence that the total price shown is accurate and complete
Our goal is to make booking your holiday as simple and transparent as possible.