Significant changes to the EU Directive on package travel have come into effect, aiming to strengthen travellers’ rights and provide greater legal clarity for the travel sector, which is largely made up of small and medium‑sized enterprises.
According to the European Commission, the new rules adopted by the European Parliament and Council establish a clearer framework for issues such as trip cancellations, refunds and protection in cases where tour operators become insolvent.
Particular emphasis is placed on the use of vouchers instead of immediate refunds. Travellers must now give explicit consent before accepting vouchers, while an automatic refund is guaranteed if these vouchers are not used.
Consumer protection is also reinforced in cases of insolvency, ensuring that outstanding refunds are covered. Travellers will have the right to receive replies to complaints within 60 days, as well as refunds within six months if a travel organiser becomes insolvent.
The new directive also abolishes “linked travel arrangements”, an intermediate category between package holidays and individual travel services. This aims to simplify the framework and eliminate the need for multiple information forms. Consumers will now be clearly informed whether they are purchasing a package holiday or separate travel services.
EU member states have a period of 28 months to incorporate these rules into national legislation, with provisions becoming binding six months after that deadline.
At the same time, the Commission has encouraged travel organisers to voluntarily apply the new voucher rules ahead of their legal enforcement, particularly in light of ongoing challenges such as reduced aircraft fuel supply from the Middle East.
Source: CNA
