ECTAA welcomes the Directive on consumer rights that the European Parliament has adopted today.

Thanks to the intensive contacts that ECTAA has maintained for the past two years with the European legislators, both at the level of the European Parliament and of the Council, the Consumer Rights Directive takes into account the specificities of the travel industry.

Indeed, package travel contracts will remain exclusively subject to the Package Travel directive, which is sector specific and grants a larger protection to the consumer.

Also, whether they provide their services online or at the consumer’s home, travel professionals who book hotel accommodation, transport or car rental services for their customers will not be obliged to offer a right of withdrawal. They will thus be able to immediately confirm and secure all travel arrangements, at the price available at the moment of reservation, to the benefit of the consumer.

Said President of ECTAA, Mrs Irena Gueorguieva: “The new Directive represents a major achievement for the travel industry and travellers alike. It maintains a balanced regulatory framework, to the benefit of consumers and professionals.”

Date of publication: 23 June 2011