EUROPA - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Stress-free holidays for 120 million consumers – European Parliament backs new rules on package travel

EUROPA - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Stress-free holidays for 120 million consumers – European Parliament backs new rules on package travel

The European Parliament backed today (610 votes for, 58 against and 13 abstentions) the European Commission's proposal modernising EU rules on package holidays (IP/13/663). Existing EU rules on package travel holidays date back to 1990. Under the new rules, the Package Travel Directive will enter the digital age and better protect 120 million consumers who buy customised travel arrangements – especially online – and are not covered under today's EU rules. The reform will bolster protection for consumers by increasing transparency about the kind of travel product they are buying and by strengthening their rights in case something goes wrong. Businesses will also benefit as the new Directive will scrap outdated information requirements such as the need to reprint brochures and will make sure that national insolvency protection schemes are recognised across borders.

The main changes supported by the European Parliament's report are:(...)