On 12 March 2014 the EP adopted its 1st reading position on the Commission's proposal for a directive on package travel and assisted travel arrangements. Mr Mayer's Report on the file was adopted in IMCO on 11 February.
The revision of the 1990 directive on package travel appeared to be necessary following the development of online sales and the liberalisation in the airline sector which changed the way the consumers organise their holidays. The overall objective of the revision was to enhance the functioning of the Internal Market and achieve a high level of consumer protection through the approximation of rules on packages and other combinations of travel services.
With their vote, MEPs decided to exempt packages put together by occasional organisers and packages with a duration of less than 24 hours and without accommodation, while clarifying that Member States may decide to cover those packages in national legislation. The possibilities for alteration of the price of a package will also be limited, and if the price increases by more than 8%, the traveller should be able to terminate the contract and be reimbursed, or be offered an equivalent package. By default, the buyer should get a refund for any price reduction over 3%. If "unavoidable" and "unforeseeable" circumstances make it impossible for the traveller to return home on time, the organiser will have to arrange accommodation for him at a similar level to the accommodation originally booked or alternatively pay for a stay of 5 nights up to 125 euros per night. Lastly, travellers will be repatriated in case of insolvency of their travel organiser while they are abroad on holiday.
Negotiations with the Council are expected during the next legislature.
Rapporteur: Hans-Peter Mayer (EPP)
Shadow rapporteurs: Sergio Cofferati (S&D), Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (ALDE), Heide Rühle (Greens), Emma McClarkin (ECR), - (GUE), Matteo Salvini (EFD)
Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP