EC initiates procedure against Poland for regulations regarding tourist offices

The European Commission announced that it is initiating a procedure for violation of EU law against Poland and nine other Member States for the provisions regarding settlements between tourist offices and their clients for unused travel packages introduced in connection with a pandemic.

Many trips have been canceled due to the pandemic. As part of the anti-crisis shield, Poland has decided that tourist offices will be able to offer vouchers for trips to clients, and those who would like a refund will have to wait up to 180 days. The purpose of these provisions was to provide liquidity to tourism companies that found themselves in a very difficult situation due to the crisis.

However, the Commission is of the opinion that consumer rights, including reimbursement, remain valid in the current context and that national provisions supporting companies must not weaken EU regulation.

Apart from Poland, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovakia have same problems with this regulation.

(PAP)