Brussels, 13/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - Consumer rights in the digital age will be better protected with new EU legislation on package tours and some assisted travel arrangements. On Tuesday 13 October in Brussels, this new legislation received the go-ahead from the European Parliament's Internal Market Committee.
MEPs voted by a large majority (29 votes for, 2 against) the agreement negotiated with the Council, which the latter itself voted for on 18 September (see EUROPE 11308).
The rapporteur, Birgit Collin-Langen (EPP, Germany), stated: “We have successfully agreed on an instrument that will keep up to date with the rapidly evolving travel market and will protect the rights of travellers by regulating new booking methods.”
This directive will provide people who reserve a flight, hotel or car online, with the same protection as that given to people using travel agencies, whilst clarifying the rules for the companies involved. Innovations include a guarantee to consumers that they have the right to be informed before concluding the contract, cancelling a package holiday if the price is increased by more than 8% and that they can benefit from accommodation for three nights in the event of an inevitable and unpredictable event (natural disasters, terrorist attacks etc.) which prevent them returning to their homes. The European Parliament is called on to confirm this agreement on 27 October during its plenary session in Strasbourg. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)