Today, Friends, Families and Travellers is pleased to see Pontins Holiday Park has issued an apology to Gypsy and Traveller communities, as a first step in tackling discrimination after an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found that the holiday park acted ‘unlawfully’ against Irish Travellers.
In February 2024, EHRC produced a report summarising its findings into whether Pontins booking policies, information and record keeping discriminated based on race, finding 11 ‘unlawful acts’ in total.
The holiday park operator was called to produce an action plan on how they would meet the EHRC’s recommendations and adhere to them by April 2024. It includes:
- A programme of engagement with Gypsy and Traveller communities, including training and a director level meeting with Friends, Families and Travellers (FTT) to discuss issues faced and ways Pontins can improve.
- Commitment to zero tolerance to discrimination of all kinds & communications to staff outlining that commitment.
- A whistleblowing action plan to strengthen protections for whistleblowers, to include a training programme for staff, updating policies and procedures.
- Reviewing and updating policies and procedures to ensure there are proper safeguards around the refusal to return process, park cancellations and guest complaints.
- A training programme on equality and diversity, to include Pontins’ obligations as a service provider under Part 3 (Services) Equality Act 2010.
As of today, two recommendations have been addressed:
- Apology issued to Gypsy and Traveller communities who were affected by the issues in the report.
- Removal of electoral roll T&Cs (already removed) with a commitment not to reintroduce those terms.
We look forward to seeing further action take place and entering a conversation with the holiday park operator about the prospect of training and addressing race hate and discrimination towards Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Reflecting on the awaited update, Abbie Kirkby, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Friends, Families and Travellers said:
“Although later than expected, it is encouraging to see Pontins taking steps to redress the harm inflicted on Gypsy and Traveller communities through discriminatory practices.
As part of a wider net of institutions where rate hate is normalised, we hope others take stock of Pontins being held to account and uproot their own discriminatory practices in turn.
There’s a real opportunity to invest in tangible change, and it’s vital it’s not missed.”
ENDS
About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)
Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.
Media Contact
Communications Team
Email: comms@gypsy-traveller.org
Additional Resources
Pontins Holiday Park apology to Gypsy and Traveller communities. September 2024. Read.
EHRC finds Pontins acted ‘unlawfully’ against Irish Travellers. Friends, Families and Travellers. Updated February 2024. Read.
Report: Investigation into Pontins holiday parks. Equality and Human Rights Commission. February 2024. Read.
