In a major effort to protect travel consumers, the Federal Trade Commission announced "Operation Trip Trap" on August 3, 1999. According to the FTC,
- "While promising "dream vacations," [companies] often failed to disclose material facts about the vacation packages or tours they were selling, including total costs, refund policies, dates the consumers could travel, specific destinations, or type of accommodations offered.
The federal agency joined with 21 states, according to CNN, and announced charges against 25 of these travel firms for
- "overstating amenities; telling travelers they've won trips they haven't; hiding extra charges in "all-inclusive" packages; and charging for products and services they never delivered."
Firms that go after students and younger travelers taking their first major trips also have been targeted, according to USA Today. In addition, companies that require travelers to sit through lengthy sales pitches are being charged with fraudulent, misleading practices as well.
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