EU gives green light to new package travel rules
After a long negotiation process, the European Union has given the green light to the new package travel regulations, with new guarantees in case of incidents and Internet marketing.
According to the EU, the regulation aims to strengthen the protection of consumers who buy customized package tours composed of two or more tourist services. Among other aspects, travelers will be covered by repatriation guarantees in the event of bankruptcy of a tour operator.
In addition, the EU law also introduces stricter controls on price surcharges, for example for fuel surcharges, which may not exceed 8%. If this threshold is exceeded, the traveler may cancel the contract.
On the other hand, in case of “unavoidable” or “unforeseeable” circumstances, such as natural disasters or terrorist attacks, which prevent the traveler from returning home in time, the organizer mustá pay for up to three nights of hotel accommodation.
On bookings made through the Internet, organizers and retailers must clearly inform consumers of their rights for purchasing a travel package. The information should include the name of at least one responsible party and an emergency number.
Some travel agency associations have harshly criticized that the EU regulation does not provide for the inclusion of portals of tourism providers, especially airline companies, which include additional services such as accommodation or car rental.