Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on package travel and linked travel arrangements

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Series Details L 326, Pages 1-33
Publication Date 11/12/2015
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Summary:

Directive (EU) 2015/2302 - adopted by the European Union on 25 November 2015 - which aims to introduce a uniform level of consumer protection in relation to contracts for travel packages and linked travel arrangements, taking into account the use of internet booking.

Further information:

The adoption of Directive 90/314/EEC relating to package travel created a set of rights for European travellers who purchase package holidays (typically consisting of passenger transport and accommodation). It ensured that consumers receive essential information before and after signing a package travel contract. It provided the responsibility of organisers and retailers for proper performance of the package and regulated any changes to the package travel contract. It also ensured that travellers receive a refund of pre-payments and are repatriated in the event of insolvency.

However, the structure of the travel market as changed every since the Internet emerged as an important vehicle for business and information. The modernisation of Directive 90/314/EEC became necessary following the request from different stakeholders, as those rules became difficult to apply to the digital era where consumers increasingly book customised packages online.

The European Commission adopted a legislative initiative on 9 July 2013 for a new Directive on package travel and assisted travel arrangements. A Communication providing the context to this proposal was also published. The European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on 12 March 2014, followed by the Council of the European Union on 4 December. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text was reached on 5 May 2015. The final text was formally signed by them on 25 November following formal endorsement. It was published in the Official Journal on 11 December 2015.

The new rules were to be transposed by Member States by 1 January 2018. Directive (EU) 2015/2302 repeals Council Directive 90/314/EC and amends Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2011/83/EU.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2015/2302/oj
Related Links
Official
EUR-Lex: COM(2013)512: Proposal for a Directive on package travel and assisted travel arrangements, amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004, Directive 2011/83/EU and repealing Council Directive 90/314/EEC http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2013:512:FIN
EUR-Lex: SWD(2013)263: Impact assessment http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2013:263:FIN
EUR-Lex: SWD(2013)264: Executive summary of the impact assessment http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2013:264:FIN
EUR-Lex: SWD(2013)266: Implementation plan http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2013:266:FIN
European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File on proposal regarding package travel and linked travel arrangements https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2013/0246(COD)
European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Adoption of Directive on package travel and linked travel arrangements https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-internal-market-and-consumer-protection-imco/file-directive-on-package-travel-and-linked-travel-arrangements
European Commission: Memo, 09/07/2013: Frequently Asked Questions: Commission proposes to improve consumer rights for 120 million holiday makers https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_13_667
European Commission: Speech, 09/07/2013: Modernising EU rules on Package Travel: Plan your summer holiday with peace of mind https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_13_620
European Commission: Press Release, 09/07/2013: Commission acts to improve consumer rights for 120 million holiday makers https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_13_663
European Commission: Memo, 12/03/2014: Stress-free holidays for 120 million consumers – European Parliament backs new rules on package travel https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_14_184
European Parliament: Press Release, 12/03/2014 : MEPs vote to extend protection for package holiday travellers http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140310IPR38524/
Council of the European Union: Press Release, 04/12/2014: Travel packages: Council agrees on general approach to update rules http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/intm/146040.pdf
European Parliament: Press Release, 05/05/2015: Package holiday protection: MEPs strike a deal with Council http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20150504IPR49650/
European Parliament: Press Release, 13/05/2015: Package holidays: 'Holidaymakers' rights will be strengthened significantly' http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20150511STO54549/
European Parliament: Press Release, 27/05/2015: MEPs adapt package travel rules to the digital age http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20151022IPR98799/
Council of the European Union: Press Release, 28/05/2015: Travel packages: Council confirms political agreement http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/05/28-compet-travel-package/
European Commission: Statement by Commissioner Jourová on the adoption by the European Parliament of the new EU rules giving more protection to over 120 million holidaymakers (27 October 2015) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_15_5932
UK: GOV.UK: Consultation: Updating consumer protection in the package travel sector (August 2017 to April 2018) https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/updating-consumer-protection-in-the-package-travel-sector
European Commission: Press Release, 29/06/2018: New EU rules ensure better protection for 120 million holidaymakers this summer https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_18_4293

News
BBC News, 01/07/2018: Mix-and-match holidaymakers get more protection https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44659499
Politico, 01/07/2018: New EU package-holiday protections take hold https://www.politico.eu/article/holiday-flight-hotel-package-travel-directive-new-eu-consumer-protections-take-hold/

Commentary and Analysis
EPRS: Briefing, October 2013: Package Travel and Assisted Travel Arrangements: Initial Appraisal of the Commission's Impact Assessment http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=IPOL-JOIN_NT(2013)514074
Nat Geo Traveller, 13/09/2018: What the Package Travel Directive means for you http://www.natgeotraveller.co.uk/smart-travel/travel-talk/package-travel-directive-means/

EPRS: Briefing, August 2013: Towards a reform of EU law on package travel http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=LDM_BRI(2013)130593

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