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27/08/2009
EU To 'Protect' Independent Tourists
A new EU initiative to provide better levels of protection for tourists left behind by airline collapses will be announced in Galway later today.
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva - who has been battling with airlines on a number of issues - said existing EU directives "do not provide sufficient safeguards" as the number of people who now make their own independent holiday arrangements increases.
Ms Kuneva said traditional package holidays booked from brochures through travel agents have "gold-plated protection" under EU laws introduced in the 1990s, but this protection doesn't extend to those who have made their own arrangements, such as cancelled flights and disputes with hotels or car hire firms.
Many people now use the Internet to separately book airline tickets, hotel accommodation and car hire.
According to the Commissioner, 56% of holidaymakers across the EU and 46% in Ireland now organise their holidays in this way.
They are not covered by the basic consumer rights in the original EU directive.
In the UK in 1997, 98% of passengers on holiday flights were protected, but this had fallen to 36% by 2005.
(DW/BMcc)
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva - who has been battling with airlines on a number of issues - said existing EU directives "do not provide sufficient safeguards" as the number of people who now make their own independent holiday arrangements increases.
Ms Kuneva said traditional package holidays booked from brochures through travel agents have "gold-plated protection" under EU laws introduced in the 1990s, but this protection doesn't extend to those who have made their own arrangements, such as cancelled flights and disputes with hotels or car hire firms.
Many people now use the Internet to separately book airline tickets, hotel accommodation and car hire.
According to the Commissioner, 56% of holidaymakers across the EU and 46% in Ireland now organise their holidays in this way.
They are not covered by the basic consumer rights in the original EU directive.
In the UK in 1997, 98% of passengers on holiday flights were protected, but this had fallen to 36% by 2005.
(DW/BMcc)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
