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There are a number of complaints about this in Facebook traveler groups. One said that his trip was due on May 29, the tour operator offered exchange options, but none of the clients were satisfied. “Because it is unclear what the travel conditions will be (it may be necessary to bask in a glass jar and still be afraid of each other) (…), the time to plan in the spring of 2021 it’s too far, well, all-inclusive trip “He wrote.”
But on May 6. They received a letter from the tour operator that they did not bring the total amount of the trip, they did not choose the alternatives offered, therefore, the initial contribution (600 Eur).
There are more similar stories. Travelers complain that the remaining amounts must be paid for June and July trips, otherwise the contract will be terminated and the client who has not fulfilled his obligations will not receive the advance paid.
It is not clear when charter flights will be made to vacation countries such as Turkey, Greece, Spain, if those countries will allow travelers, and under what conditions. Turkey, for example, talks about opening its borders to tourists in August, promise to test them at airports for COVID-19. Greece intends to admit travelers from July, but I would like to request the results of a coronavirus test already carried out.
SCRPA: the organizer has no right to demand full payment
The State Service for the Protection of Consumer Rights (SCRPA) receives complaints and inquiries from consumers about the potentially unethical activities of some tour operators. Tour operators are encouraged to act responsibly and not pressure consumers to pay for upcoming trips.
SCRPA has recently received consumer complaints alleging that when a consumer asks a tour operator to terminate a tour package contract when the trip expired in May, June, or later and an advance payment was made, the full amount of the travel.
If the consumer refuses to pay the remaining amount, they are informed that the contract will be terminated without refunding the advance paid to the consumer, the press release states.
Until the information on the resumption of trips to certain countries is officially published, the organizer has no right to demand payment of the full price of the trip.
SCRPA notes that the Government of the Republic of Lithuania by Resolution No. 207 “On the announcement of quarantine on the territory of the Republic of Lithuania” has announced the quarantine on the territory of Lithuania, which is valid until 05-31-2020 . Furthermore, the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to travel to other countries, flights from the Republic of Lithuania are not carried out temporarily, or flights are planned only to some countries. Flights to non-European Union countries are not yet planned, and recommendations from the European Commission to refrain from traveling until 2020-06-15 are provided.
Therefore, until the information on the resumption of trips to certain states is officially published, and it is not clear if a particular trip will be made (in June, July and later), the tour operator has no right to demand that the consumer pays the total price of the trip.
SCRPA recalls that tour operators must act responsibly and ensure that the information they provide does not mislead consumers and does not put pressure on consumers to make a transactional decision and pay for services that cannot be provided.
In each case, the parties are encouraged to cooperate, to be flexible in their assessment of the current situation and to find a mutually satisfactory solution.
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