EU Boosts Travel Protections

In a significant move to enhance consumer rights, the European Parliament’s Consumer Protection Committee has adopted new rules aimed at strengthening protections for travellers. This development comes in response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of travel giant Thomas Cook, which highlighted deficiencies in existing regulations.

The updated directive focuses on ensuring that travellers receive refunds and assistance in case of travel organiser bankruptcies. It clarifies the definition of a travel package and outlines the information that must be provided to travellers throughout their journey. Notably, the directive empowers consumers with the right to refuse vouchers, opting instead for a refund within 14 days, and sets guidelines for voucher validity and usage.

Importantly, the directive also addresses trip cancellations, allowing travellers to cancel without penalty and receive a full refund if extraordinary circumstances arise. These provisions aim to provide clarity and security for consumers, ensuring they are not unfairly penalized due to unforeseen events at their travel destination.

Following its adoption with a strong majority, the directive will now proceed to the Parliament’s plenary for debate and voting, with further negotiations anticipated with the EU Council. This initiative marks a proactive step towards safeguarding travellers’ interests in a rapidly changing global landscape.