Communication on ‘Bringing the EU package travel rules into the digital age’

Summary:

The European Commission adopted on 9 July 2013 a Communication providing the context to a proposed update of the Package Travel Directive (Directive 90/314/EEC).

This Communication accompanies the adoption of COM(2013)512 which features the proposal put forward by the Commission.

Further information:

The adoption of Directive 90/314/EEC on package travel in 1990 created important rights for European travellers purchasing package holidays, typically consisting of passenger transport and accommodation. It ensures that consumers receive essential information before and after signing a package travel contract. It provides that organisers and/or retailers are responsible for the proper performance of the package, even if the services are provided by sub-contractors, and regulates what happens if there are changes to the package travel contract. It also ensures that travellers receive a refund of pre-payments and are repatriated in the event of the organiser's and/or retailer's insolvency.

However, in 1990 the structure of the travel market was much simpler than today and the Internet did not exist. The modernisation of Directive 90/314/EEC thus responds to requests from different stakeholders, as the existing rules are difficult to apply in the digital era where consumers increasingly book customised packaged online.