Transportation Ministry creates hotline to check credibility of tour operators

The credibility of a travel agency may be checked before signing a contract and paying for a holiday. The Transportation Ministry will offer a central register of permits issued to tour and intermediary companies. A hotline number in Warsaw (630-15-21) may be called to find out if the company is registered for that kind of activity. Having such a document is obligatory in addition to an insurance contract and bank or insurance guarantee. The total number of such registrations granted was 2,369 and most of them, 456, are in Mazowieckie voivodship. Checking the travel agency is important in order not to choose a dishonest firm or one operating without any permits. One should also check if the company organizes the return trip to Poland and the reimbursement of the customers deposits. The tour firm is obliged to present a mandatory contract to any customer who paid a 10% down payment. (Prawo i Gospodarka, page 8) M.M.