Running a retreat business can be incredibly rewarding, whether you offer yoga weekends, creative workshops, coaching retreats or wellbeing experiences. However, many organisers are unaware of the legal requirements for running retreats in the UK. Particularly where accommodation and activities are offered together as part of the retreat.
One area that often causes confusion is the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. This can apply to retreat businesses even when they are small or run only a handful of events each year.
Understanding the legal requirements for running retreats in the UK is important if you want to structure your retreats correctly and avoid unexpected regulatory obligations.
In this article we explain:
- when a retreat may be considered a “package holiday”
- what responsibilities retreat organisers may have
- the insurance or financial protection that may be required
- practical legal steps retreat businesses should take
Understanding the Legal Requirements for Running Retreats in the UK
One of the key legal requirements for running retreats in the UK relates to whether your retreat falls within the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
Under these regulations, a “package” exists where two or more different travel services are combined for the purpose of the same trip or holiday.
Travel services include:
• accommodation
• transport
• vehicle hire
• other tourist services forming a significant part of the trip.
For retreat organisers, the most common combination is:
Accommodation + workshops, courses or retreat activities
For example:
• a yoga retreat including accommodation and classes
• a writing retreat including accommodation and workshops
• a coaching or wellbeing retreat where participants stay at a venue and attend facilitated sessions.
If participants purchase accommodation and activities together as one retreat experience, this may fall within the definition of a package under the regulations.
Importantly, the regulations apply based on what is being sold. Not the size of the business. Even small retreat businesses may fall within the rules.
What Responsibilities Do Retreat Organisers Have?
If a retreat is considered a package, the organiser may be treated as the “organiser” under the Package Travel Regulations.
This means certain responsibilities may apply, including:
- providing specific information to participants before they book
- ensuring booking terms are clear and fair
- putting financial protection in place for customer payments
- taking responsibility for services forming part of the retreat package
Many retreat organisers are surprised to discover that these rules can apply to them. Particularly when they see themselves primarily as facilitators rather than travel organisers.
However, combining accommodation with retreat activities can bring the retreat within the regulatory framework.
Do Retreat Businesses Need Special Insurance?
One of the most significant legal requirements for running retreats in the UK, where a retreat qualifies as a package, is the requirement for financial protection.
Package organisers must ensure that customer payments are protected if the organiser becomes insolvent.
For retreats that do not include flights, this protection is often provided through:
- financial failure insurance
- bonding arrangements
- trust account structures
Insurance providers sometimes require reporting obligations or indemnities as part of these arrangements. This can often come as a surprise to retreat organisers who are new to the sector.
That’s why understanding the legal framework before launching retreats is so important.
Can Retreats Be Structured Outside the Package Travel Regulations?
Not all retreats automatically fall within the package travel rules. In some situations, retreat organisers structure their retreats so that:
• participants book accommodation directly with the venue, and
• the organiser provides only the retreat programme or workshops
In that case:
• participants contract directly with the venue for accommodation; and
• separately with the organiser for the retreat activities
Where the organiser is not combining travel services themselves, the retreat may fall outside the definition of a package.
However, the structure must be genuine. Simply changing wording without changing how bookings actually work is unlikely to change the legal position.
Other Legal Considerations for Retreat Businesses
Even where the Package Travel Regulations do not apply. There are still important legal requirements for running retreats in the UK that organisers should consider.
Common legal issues we see include:
- unclear cancellation policies
- disputes about what is included in the retreat
- liability for venue or third party services
- participant health and wellbeing responsibilities
Clear booking terms can help manage expectations and reduce the risk of disputes.
Why Retreat Businesses Need Proper Terms of Sale
Many retreat organisers rely on informal booking conditions or templates borrowed from other industries. Unfortunately these often do not reflect the legal issues that arise when running retreats.
Well drafted retreat terms should clearly address:
• what is included in the retreat
• booking and payment arrangements
• cancellation and refund policies
• participant responsibilities
• venue and third party supplier arrangements
• liability and risk management.
Having clear terms helps protect both the organiser and the participants.
Retreat Terms of Sale Template
If you run retreats and want clear, legally structured booking terms in place, we have created a Retreat Terms of Sale template specifically for retreat organisers. This template can be used if your retreats can be booked via your website.
The template includes clauses covering:
• retreat bookings and payments
• cancellation and refund terms
• participant responsibilities
• venue and supplier arrangements
• organiser rights to make changes
• liability and risk management
The document is written in plain English and designed so retreat organisers can easily adapt it to their business model. It also covers you if you offer retreats to consumers and businesses.
You can find the template here.
FAQs
What are the legal requirements for running retreats in the UK?
The legal requirements for running retreats in the UK depend largely on how the retreat is structured. If accommodation and activities are sold together, the organiser may fall within the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. This will require financial protection for customer payments and certain information to be provided to participants.
Retreat organisers should also ensure they have clear booking terms, cancellation policies and appropriate insurance.
Can retreats count as package holidays?
They can. If a retreat combines accommodation and activities into a single booking, it may fall within the definition of a package under the Package Travel Regulations.
Do the Package Travel Regulations apply to UK retreats?
Yes. The regulations apply to domestic and international trips, not just overseas holidays.
Do I need insolvency protection for retreats?
If a retreat qualifies as a package, the organiser must ensure financial protection for customer payments. The most common way is through insurance or trust arrangements.
What if participants book accommodation themselves?
If participants book accommodation directly with the venue and the organiser only provides the retreat programme, the arrangement may fall outside the package definition. But it’s best to get professional advice on this point.
Do retreats require a 14 day cooling off period?
No. Retreat bookings usually fall within the leisure services exemption under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. This means a statutory cooling off period does not normally apply.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the legal requirements for running retreats in the UK is important before launching or expanding your retreat business.
Before offering retreats, it is worth asking:
• Am I combining accommodation and activities into one offering?
• Who is responsible for booking accommodation?
• Do I have clear legal terms for participants?
Getting these foundations right will help protect your business and allow you to focus on delivering a great retreat experience.