Do you have to wait a long time to get your money back if the tour operator cancels your flight? If the European Commission has its way, this must be stopped. Travelers should be given clearer information about their rights and a prompt refund if their trip is cancelled.
The relevant draft law of the committee was presented to the European Parliament and EU ministers. Now they need to take a stand and then negotiate the final rules.
Currently, travelers are often offered vouchers with which they can choose to get their money back. You often have to wait a long time when the tour operator returns the money. In some cases, the full amount cannot be refunded.
These problems came to light during the Corona crisis, when many trips were canceled. “The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has shaken the travel industry and reminded everyone of the importance of good consumer rights,” says EU Commissioner Didier Reynders. The committee wants to take action here now.
The consumer advice center is also interested in refunds and wants payments to be made much faster. “Consumers sometimes stay with retailers for months. “If they go bankrupt like D-Reizen, the money will suddenly run out and a conflict that will last for months will begin,” the consumer association said. The interest group made recommendations to the Ministry of Economy to avoid this situation in the future.
Plan: If you don’t want a coupon, withdraw cash immediately
One suggestion is that travelers can opt for a direct refund if they no longer want a voucher. A standard form approved by each tour operator aims to facilitate this. If a traveler decides to request a refund, the money must be credited within 14 days.
Better protection should also be provided when traveling in more than one vehicle. The tour operator offering the multi-car package is responsible in case something goes wrong, for example missing the train due to flight delay.
Avoid delays
The consumer protection association hopes for better protection of consumer rights, even if not all of the recommendations submitted to the ministry have been accepted.
Freek Bos, director of the Rover travel association, also believes the rules will help better protect passengers. “A common form makes it easier for travelers to get refunds,” he says. However, he also wants delays to be prevented: “If the train arrives on time, you do not need to pay.”
“In the Netherlands, everything is already regulated,” says Hanita van der Meer from the ANVR travel providers association. She thinks that the new European rules will not cause a big problem for tour operators. “These adjustments can be made.”
It is not yet known whether the bill will be passed before next year’s European Parliament elections. Therefore, it may take some time for the new rules to come into force.
Source: NOS
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
