the Government figured out how to deal with people who bought turputevku “caught” by the closure of borders and the self-isolation of Russia. They will receive special vouchers: if within a certain period, the tourists will not be able to go somewhere for the same money and category conditions, the money they will return – with interest. But not before. Tour operators this schema is more or less satisfied.
the Bill, which the government has collected a lot of different anti-crisis measures introduced in the state Duma and will be adopted next week. Among other things it speaks about the way to solve the problem of those who bought a ticket from a travel Agency, but nowhere I couldn’t go, and in the coming months I can hardly.
the Current law “On tourist activity” should be supplemented with a new article about “individual cases” change the agreement specifying the services or termination of this contract – it is fully applicable to the current very “individual case”. So, if on the territory of Russia or some of its parts entered high alert mode (as it is now for coronavirus), and if some other country has temporarily closed the entrance to its territory, the government of the Russian Federation has the right in its decision to withhold the refund for the vouchers to buyers. Instead of money they will offer some sort of obligation, sort of a voucher in accordance with the travel Agency undertakes to provide the client with “equivalent tourism product within the prescribed period”. How will this look like on paper and how it should be decorated – then will be determined by the government.
If for the duration of the prohibitions and restrictions prices on tickets and hotels rise, and an equivalent product will cost more, the difference of the travel Agency should pay for itself. If the citizen never get out, within 10 days after the deadline he will have to return the money paid before the trip. And with interest in the amount of one hundred sixty-fifth key rate of the Central Bank for each day that the travel Agency used these money. Now the key rate of 5.5% per annum, then put the failed tourist interest 0,015 per day.
how realistic this scheme, “MK” we talked with the Executive Director of the Association of tour operators of Russia Maya LOMIDZE.
is There a sample statistics on the volume and the number of failed travel companies obligations?
– According to our rough estimates, in total, domestic and outbound market we are talking about several hundred thousand people until the end of September.
– How long the commitment will establish the government, is there any information?
We hope that by the end of 2021. But most likely it will be the year.
– How the proposed scheme is thought?
– Back in April we wrote an appeal to the government, and the Ministry with a request by analogy with Germany and France to consider these vouchers, or certificates confirming the obligations of tour operators. Why is there such an idea? Not have any illusions, the travel company is not possible now to recover the funds, and there is no way to provide the service. And not one travel company in this position – all at the same time, and not because it is badly worked. And given the fact that carriers one by one de facto, although legally it was not in any way fixed, too, began to talk about postponement of the obligation to refund the cost of tickets, it is logical symmetrically to continue this practice to tour operators and travel agencies, where transport is part of the product.
– What of the promised tourism product voucher will be considered “equivalent”?
Roughly speaking, if people chose a tour in the Mediterranean, he should be offered a tour on the Mediterranean sea – perhaps in another country, if he agrees to this, but with a comparable level of accommodation and services. That is, if people have booked all inclusive, it in any case, it should be three meals a day.
– And to pay themselves in excess of the cost of the voucher if an equivalent product will be more expensive, tour operators agree?
– Yes. In the current situation has affected both business and consumers. And we must pay tribute, in February, the business sentiment of “Oh, we won’t survive!”, when it became clear that world’s total history, all bad, all things being equal and there is such an important element as competition, the business mobilized and says “we want to wait and continue to work.” Companies understand that if the traveler who also suffered, to borrow more money, given higher prices, you lose tourists.
If within the prescribed period the person has not used the voucher, he must return the money with interest. This is feasible?
We studied this issue with tour operators, and Yes, it is feasible.
– But that the obligation had been performed, it is necessary that the tour operator went bankrupt during this time…
– Most importantly, we need regulations to ensure these obligations because in Germany and in France, for example, the state acted as the guarantor, and if the travel company for some reason decides to shut down the government as separate Fund either in the form of authorized Bank undertakes the payment of these expenses.
– we Have assumed something similar?
– I Have no reason to believe that we will be offered something similar, but we do not lose hope.
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