Travelling

Consumer rights are influenced by the nature of the holiday

Before going on a holiday it's advisable to plan what to do in any sudden situations which might occur before or during the trip.

Holiday-maker's rights are specially influenced by what kind of a trip it is,

  • is it a traditional "package tour", a holiday tailored according to the passengers wishes by a travel agency,
  • a self-planned holiday or flights only

Pros and cons of travelling

Package tour

  The traveller has a right to cancel the trip.
  The money paid in advance is protected by insurance in case
      the tour operator goes bankrupt:
       -  if the trip has not yet begun the traveller will get the money
          back.
       -  if the trip is suddenly discontinued, the traveller will get
          a refund for that part of the trip which has not been used.
  Before the trip the tour operator has to give the traveller
     information about necessary travel documents, possible
     security risks and health regulations.
  The traveller is not left in his/her own devices: the guide's
     services are usually available and the tour operator must
     assist the traveller in case of illness or organising premature
     return travel, as well as sorting out a crime or accidents or
     other necessary measures.
  The tour operator is responsible for providing these services
     to the traveller. The tour operator is also responsible for its
     subcontractors' services (for example hotels or transport
     companies).
  The additional security of a package tour may cost more than
     self-obtained flights or accommodation.

Self-planned holiday or flights only

  Cheap flights and other special offers.
  You can tailor the duration of your holiday and the timetables
     to suit yourself.
  Opens new destinations for the adventurous but requires
     knowledge of languages and own initiative.
  Does not include same protection as package tours, for
     instance if the tour operator goes bankrupt. It is best to pay for
     the holiday with a credit card, because in a problem situation
     the traveller can ask the credit card company to refund the cost
     of the holiday.
  Problems must be solved without a guide's help.
  Transferring or cancelling a flight might be difficult.
  It might be difficult to get a refund in bankruptcy situations.

 

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28/09/2009