Travellers to get better protection against agency bankruptcy, unforeseen events
Consumers will have the right to cancel package tour in extraordinary circumstances - MEP Alex Agius Saliba
The European Parliament on Thursday adopted updated rules on package travel clarifying travellers’ rights when their journey is affected by unforeseen circumstances.
The enhanced protection rules revise the EU package travel directive enhancing protection for travellers when a tour organiser goes bankrupt or unforeseen circumstances disrupt their holiday plans.
This was felt necessary following the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent insolvency of Thomas Cook which had revealed weaknesses in current rules.
The report was authored by Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba who said the new rules will ensure travellers are protected when booking a package deal.
“We are setting rules for vouchers and giving consumers the right to cancel a package when extraordinary circumstances apply,” Agius Saliba said.
He added that a complaint handling mechanism with clear deadlines for travel operators to respond will make sure travellers can enforce their rights.
The draft position, adopted with 35 votes in favour, one against and four abstentions, will go to the European Parliament’s plenary for a debate and vote probably in September.
The law sets out travel agents must have mandatory insurance in the event of agency bankruptcy to cover consumer deposits. Consumers should be offered the option of accepting vouchers or a refund of the deposit in case of trip cancellation, with transferable vouchers being valid for one year.
Response and remedy must be concluded within a maximum of 14 days in case of holiday-related issues and the maximum deposit amount that can be paid for a holiday is to be regulated by each individual country and not at EU level.