Are Your Retreats Actually Legal? What Most Hosts (and Attendees) Don’t Know About the Law
The wellness world is built on trust. You’re promising a space to rest, reflect, and reconnect. Whether you’re a guest booking a once-in-a-lifetime retreat or a host pouring your energy into curating the perfect experience, there’s an unspoken agreement that everything behind the scenes is safe and sorted.
But here’s the truth: most retreat hosts are unknowingly breaking the law - and retreat guests are completely unaware that their hard-earned investment may not be protected if something goes wrong.
And before that sounds dramatic or fear-based, let’s strip it back and talk plainly. This article is here to inform, not scare. Whether you’re attending or planning a retreat, there’s one thing that should never be missing - legal compliance.
Let’s Start with the Basics: What Makes a Retreat a 'Package Holiday'?
Most people don’t realise that legally, running a retreat isn’t just about yoga mats and Instagrammable views. If your retreat includes two or more services (for example, accommodation + classes, or venue + transport), then under UK law it’s classified as a Package Holiday.
Yes, really.
That means you’re no longer 'just' a wellness facilitator or coach. You are legally a Package Organiser - and that comes with some serious responsibilities.
So What Does the Law Actually Say?
According to the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, if you're selling retreats that include a combination of services, you must:
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Offer financial protection for your guests’ payments
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Hold Tour Operator Insurance and Financial Failure Cover
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Provide refunds or repatriation if the retreat can’t go ahead
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Inform your guests clearly of their rights
If you don’t have this, you're not just unprotected - you’re potentially liable. And worse, your guests are too.
This is particularly important when you consider why people book retreats in the first place. Many are in vulnerable phases of life - burnt out, overwhelmed, or healing. The retreat often represents a major investment, both emotionally and financially.
Imagine losing all that because the retreat host didn’t have the right cover in place. It happens more than you think.
Retreat Guests: Are You Vetting the Retreat Before You Book?
It’s easy to be swayed by beautiful branding, glowing testimonials, and the promise of transformation. But behind the scenes, is the retreat provider operating legally? Do they have tour operator cover and financial failure insurance?
Most don’t.
And that matters. Because even if your favourite yoga teacher means well, intention doesn’t replace regulation. If their venue cancels last minute or a third-party provider goes bust, there’s no legal obligation for you to get your money back - unless they’re covered.
So before you hand over your payment, ask the question:
Are you legally protected to run this retreat?
If they hesitate, it might be worth rethinking.
Retreat Hosts: Are You Fully Protected?
It’s not enough to have public liability insurance. That only covers you for injury or accidents. It doesn’t cover cancellations, supplier collapse, or financial protection for your guests.
And if you’re coordinating bookings, payments, and suppliers - guess what? You are operating as a travel seller. Which means that Tour Operator Insurance and Financial Failure Cover aren’t optional extras. They are legal requirements.
- Here’s where it gets real:
Tour Operator Liability Insurance is expensive (think thousands) - The process is lengthy and rigorous
- Most hosts need to run 4 - 6 profitable retreats per year just to make it viable
Which is why most don’t bother. They risk it. Or worse, they don’t know.
What’s the Alternative?
That’s where Align Lifestyle Retreats comes in.
We’re a fully insured and compliant tour operator who has successfully run both UK and worldwide retreats since 2019. Our very first retreat sold out in just 90 minutes! We’ve never had a retreat that didn’t fill. Why? Because our clients know they’re safe in our hands.
Through our Silent Co-Host Service, we make legal compliance easy and affordable for retreat leaders.
You stay the face of your retreat.
We handle all legal, transactional, and insurance requirements behind the scenes.
No scary paperwork. No financial risk. No burned-out hosts desperately trying to juggle it all. Just peace of mind, for you and your guests.
Here’s How It Works:
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You create your retreat and source your venue and suppliers
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We manage all bookings and payments under our legally insured umbrella
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You become instantly compliant with seller of travel laws
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Your guests only see you. Your brand. Your vision.
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We’re your silent co-host - legal, quiet, and efficient
And the best part? Our flat fee is often covered by the cost of just one guest booking. Meaning you can keep your pricing accessible, stay legal, and focus on what you love most: delivering a transformational experience.
Why It Matters
Wellness spaces are built on care, but care without compliance is just performance.
Clients are trusting us with their money, their time, and their vulnerability. If we claim to lead with integrity, that means doing the work behind the scenes to legally protect them, not just nurture them in the room.
It means ensuring that if something goes wrong - they are covered. You are covered. And no one’s left dealing with legal messes or financial loss.
Let’s Keep the Wellness Industry Safe, Together
If you’re attending a retreat - ask the questions that protect you.
If you’re running a retreat - know that you don’t have to figure this all out alone.
At Align Lifestyle Retreats, we don’t just co-host - we elevate your retreat.
We help you lead with confidence and credibility, knowing you’ve done everything right by your clients.
We offer:
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Silent co-hosting
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Itinerary building
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Retreat audits
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Guest instruction & wellness workshops
Whether you’re a new facilitator or a seasoned teacher, we can support you legally, logistically, and professionally - without changing the soul of your offering.
Want to work together?
Let’s make your retreat as safe and seamless as it is soul-stirring.
Learn more about our silent co-host service email Laura directly at hello@alignlifestyle.co.uk
Together, we can raise the standard of retreats across the wellness space - and keep ourselves and our clients protected, every step of the way.