Independent travellers to get more rights under new law
By Luzita Naidoo, 3rd December 2009
A new EU Law affecting travel regulations is being discussed to
give independent travelers more protection.
The new regulations essentially aim to provide DIY travelers
with the same financial protection as holidaymakers who book
package deals.
At the moment, regulations require tour operators to take care
of their customers in the event of unforeseen circumstances. For
example, travelers can get compensation if their airline goes bust
or if the holiday does not correspond to what the brochure had
promised. Passengers can also claim flight compensation if their
flight is overbooked, canceled or delayed.
But travelers who book their flight, hotel and car rental
separately are not protected under EU Law. The commission said 23%
of EU holidaymakers were now booking these so called "dynamic
packages" or DIY holidays.
When XL Leisure group collapsed along with its airline just over
a year ago thousands of British holidaymakers were left stranded.
Those who bought package holidays were protected and were
compensated by the Civil Aviation Authority. But DIY travelers did
not qualify for this protection and had to pay double as they were
not covered by the regulations.
Therefore, EU consumer commission, Meglena Kuneva, urged the
development of "tough protection that gives all holiday consumers
the peace of mind they deserve, and a level playing field so
businesses compete on equal levels."
In addition, the new EU Law would extend those holiday rights to
DIY travelers in order for all parties to reap the benefits of
financial protection and avoid holiday complaints.
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