Holidays, updated Nov 2026

Is my padel holiday protected?

In short: If one company sells you accommodation together with coaching or another service, that is usually a package under the UK Package Travel Regulations, and the company must protect your money. ATOL applies only when flights are included. From 6 April 2027 the rules get stricter: more bookings count as packages, and a seller can no longer avoid responsibility by calling itself an agent.

Three situations

Flights included: look for an ATOL number. Padel Holidays, for example, shows ATOL 12947.
No flights, but hotel plus coaching: it is still a package. The organiser needs insolvency protection through a bond, insurance or a trust account. Ask which one.
Coaching only, you book the hotel: usually not a package, so your money for the room is separate.

What changes on 6 April 2027

The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements (Amendment) Regulations 2026 come into force on 6 April 2027. Three changes matter for padel trips:

Linked travel arrangements are abolished. Some bookings that used to count as "linked" (for example, booking a hotel and coaching through one website in one visit) become packages, with full protection.
No hiding behind "agent". A business that puts the trip together can no longer avoid organiser duties just by describing itself as an intermediary.
Faster refunds. Organisers get a 14-day right to recover refunds from hotels and other suppliers, which should make refunds to you quicker.

In practice: after April 2027, if a padel camp sells you a room and coaching together, expect it to be a package and ask how your money is protected.

How Second Set works

Trips in our comparison table are booked and paid with the operator, under its terms and protection. Our own coaching retreats are land only, never flights, and will be run with a licensed travel partner that protects your payments. We will name that partner on each retreat page before we take any deposit. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Questions

Does a padel holiday without flights need ATOL?

No. ATOL covers flights. A land-only package still needs insolvency protection under the Package Travel Regulations.

How do I check a padel holiday is protected?

Look for an ATOL number if flights are included, or ask the operator which bond, insurance or trust account protects your payment.

What changes for padel holidays in April 2027?

From 6 April 2027 more combined bookings count as packages, and sellers can no longer avoid organiser duties by calling themselves agents. That means more padel trips will carry full package protection.

Play with people your age and level

Second Set trips group players into ages 30–49 and 45–59, with courts split by level.

See our coaching retreats Find a padel trip