Very welcome news.
Booking any holiday is always a stressful occasion because people will frequently look for the best time, flight and deal. From a travel perspective, nothing can compare to the torment that comes when a package holiday doesn’t quite deliver what’s promised.
Maybe the flight was cancelled? Perhaps the services that were promised didn’t deliver? Regardless of the reason, the last few years have seen an increase in the amount of holidaymakers that were left stranded abroad after various airlines went into financial difficulty.
On this note, a newly introduced E.U policy should end that because as of Sunday 1 July, travellers booking package holidays will enjoy much stronger consumer rights.
Not only will traditional package holidays be covered, the new rules will also protect consumers who book other forms of combined travel, including self-customised packages.
The new rules will also introduce protection for ‘linked travel arrangements’ when the traveller purchases travel services at one point of sale, but through separate booking processes.
The new rules will benefit consumers even more with:
- Clearer information for travellers: Businesses must inform travellers whether they are offered a package or linked travel arrangement, and on their key rights through standardised information forms. They must provide clear information on the features and characteristics of the package, its price and any additional charges.
- Money-back and repatriation in case of bankruptcy: Companies selling package holidays must take out insolvency protection. This guarantee covers refunds and repatriation in case organisers go bankrupt.
- Clearer rules on liability: The organiser of the package is liable if something goes wrong, no matter who performs the travel services.
- Stronger cancellation rights: With the new rules, travellers may cancel their package holiday for any reason by paying a reasonable fee. They may cancel their holiday, free of charge should their destination become dangerous for example because of war or natural disasters, or if the package price is raised over 8% of the original price.
- Accommodation if the return journey cannot be carried out: Where travellers cannot return from their package holidays, for instance in the case of natural disasters, travellers are granted accommodation for up to three nights if they cannot return from their holiday on time.
- Assistance to travellers: The package organiser must also provide assistance to travellers in difficulty, in particular, by providing information on health services and consular assistance.
You can read more about these new policies and rules here.
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