Consumer protection: Council gives final sign off to additional safeguards for package travel users 10:44 Council gives its final approval to the package travel directive.[...]

Today, the Council adopted a directive revising the rules on package travel. The new rules strengthen the protection of travellers who buy various tourist services - such as flights, transfers, accommodation, or excursions - in a single package. The revised package travel directive (PTD) adjusts the definition of 'package travel', enhances the information that must be provided to travellers and clarifies travellers' rights in the event of package cancellation or service provider insolvency.

Better protection for package travellers

The updated package travel directive simplifies the definition of 'package' also by excluding linked travel arrangements from the scope of the legislation. It also introduces clearer information requirements for consumers by detailing the information that travellers must receive before, during, and after their trip, including details of payment methods, passport/visa requirements, accessibility and cancellation fees. The new text also enhances transparency rules in the event of organiser insolvency and obliges organizers to establish complaint-handling systems.

The new directive clarifies travellers' rights when they cancel their trip due to 'force majeure'. In such cases, travellers should not be charged termination fees and organisers must refund them within 14 days.

The directive also introduces rules about vouchers that may be offered as an alternative to refunds, provided they are of equal or greater value than the original trip, valid for 12 months and transferable once.

In cases of organiser's insolvency, travellers must be refunded within six months (period extendable under certain conditions). The directive also ensures better protection and information regarding insolvency coverage.

Next steps

Following the Council's approval, the legislative act has been adopted and will enter into force on 20days after its publication in the official journal. Member states will then have 28 months to implement the new rules at national level.

Background

Package travel, in which tour operators combine travel services such as flights, accommodation and excursions, is popular among travellers. However, its complexity can make it difficult for them to recover expenses if the package travel is cancelled. The insolvency of major companies such as Thomas Cook, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 crisis have highlighted the need to enhance the existing rules to provide better protection. In response, in October 2023 the European Commission proposed a revision to the 2015 package travel directive, with the aim of simplifying the package travel rules and strengthening travellers' protection.

• Consumer protection: Council and Parliament strike a deal on revising rules on package travel
• Council's negotiating mandate
• Commission's proposal