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Until now, tourists, without the agreement of the tour operator, should recover the money for the lost trip within 90 days, such an amendment to the Civil Code was adopted by the Seimas in May last year.
However, the European Commission has warned Lithuania about the violated rights of travelers, according to the EC, travelers are entitled to a refund for canceled trips within 14 days.
The Ministry of Economy and Innovation presented a proposal to Seimas to eliminate the element allowing a longer term. After the debate in Tuesday’s session, 108 members of the Seimas approved it, voted “against” 1 and abstained – 11.
Currently, there is a 90-day will, European legislation, a directive, a period of 14 days and we have already received an opinion from the European Commission, and there is a threat of a fine of 561 to 34 thousand. euros per day, or a one-time fine of 464 thousand. Stasys Šedbaras, Conservative Chairman of the Law and Order Committee, said.
According to him, the government was recommended to examine the situation of tour operators and seek alternative solutions to the problem.
“Instead of paying a fine, maybe I will direct that money to the tour operators,” Shedbar said.
Conservative Andrius Kupčinskas suggested not supporting the solution and seeking incentives and subsidies while providing it, as the sector does not receive any support, unlike other sectors.
“Up to 7 million can be allocated. In that sense, I would suggest examining the version of a possible subsidy in the tourism sector,” said A. Kupčinskas.
The president of the Budget and Finance Committee, M. Majauskas, asked for support for the decision.
“I understand the concerns of the tour operators and it seems to me that we have done everything possible to assist them both in the last period and in the present, both in terms of postponements and as far as possible, as well as in terms of subsidies and preferences. incentives, ”said M. Majauskas.
Representatives of the opposition did not speak at the hearing.
Žydrė Gavelienė, director of the Lithuanian Chamber of Tourism, told BNS that not all tour operators, especially large ones, have settled for their customers. As far as she knows, about 3 million. euros.
Last April, the Seimas also legalized the special one-year coupons, received by travelers who could not make paid trips due to the quarantine. If they are not used within this time, the agencies must return the money within 14 days.
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