Package travel and assisted travel arrangements
On 12.03.2014 the EP adopted its 1st reading position on the Commission's proposal for a directive on package travel and assisted travel arrangements. The Report on the file was adopted in IMCO on 11.02.15. A political agreement on a common text was reached with the Council on 05.05.2015. The revision of the 1990 directive appeared to be necessary following the development of online sales and the liberalisation in the airline sector which changed the way the consumers organise their holidays.
The objective of the revision was to enhance the functioning of the Internal Market and achieve a high level of consumer protection through the approximation of rules on packages and other combinations of travel services.
MEPs decided to exempt packages from occasional organisers and packages with a duration of less than 24 hours and without accommodation (national legislation).
The possibilities for alteration of the price of a package will be limited; if the price increases by more than 8%, the traveller should be able to terminate the contract and be reimbursed, or be offered an equivalent package. The buyer should get a refund for any price reduction over 3%. If "unavoidable"/"unforeseeable" circumstances make it impossible for the traveller to return home on time, the organiser will have to arrange accommodation for him.
Rapporteur: Birgit Collin-Langen (EPP)
MEPs decided to exempt packages from occasional organisers and packages with a duration of less than 24 hours and without accommodation (national legislation).
The possibilities for alteration of the price of a package will be limited; if the price increases by more than 8%, the traveller should be able to terminate the contract and be reimbursed, or be offered an equivalent package. The buyer should get a refund for any price reduction over 3%. If "unavoidable"/"unforeseeable" circumstances make it impossible for the traveller to return home on time, the organiser will have to arrange accommodation for him.
Rapporteur: Birgit Collin-Langen (EPP)
Shadows: S. Cofferati (S&D), A. Van Bossuyt (ECR), D. Charanzová (ALDE), I. Soltes (Greens), D. de Jong (GUE), - (EFDD)
Timetable
Press
- EuroparlTV: Ending travel package nightmares
- Ebs - extracts from the Plenary debate
- Package holidays: "Holidaymakers' rights will be strengthened significantly"
- background: Parliament wants to extend "package" holiday traveller protection (PDF - 213 KB)
- MEPs vote to extend protection for package holiday travellers (PDF - 201 KB)
- Package travel: MEPs vote to beef up consumer rights (PDF - 205 KB)
- EC FAQ: Commission proposes to improve consumer rights for 120 million holiday makers (PDF - 191 KB)
- Commission acts to improve consumer rights for 120 million holiday makers (PDF - 206 KB)