On Sunday 1 July, the EU directive on package tours and travel bought online comes into force, which clarifies consumer rights and gives them greater protection in the digital age. This updating of a 1990 directive gives consumers buying a flight, an all-in-one package holiday or hiring cars the same level of protection as people using a travel agent.
The new rules guarantee: - the right for consumers to cancel a package holiday if the price increases by more than 8% without justification; - consumers’ right to have their accommodation paid for by the organiser if they are unable to travel home for an unforeseen reason (a natural catastrophe or terror); - consumer protection against package tour operators going bankrupt, with the latter being required to insure themselves against bankruptcy; - consumers having the option of cancelling a contract without charge in exceptional circumstances.
One-click agreements where the traveller’s name, payment details and email are shared among providers will be seen as package holidays.
The proposal initially unveiled in July 2013, was approved in November 2015 and the member states had until 1 July 2018 to transpose the directive. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)