The aim of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of the EU Package Travel Directive during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, the paper depicts the legal regime under Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel, package holidays and package tours as well as Directive (EU) 2015/2302 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on package travel and linked travel arrangements. The comparison of both EU Package Travel Directives shows both some similarities and differences from the perspective of travellers’ rights. Furthermore, the paper offers justification of the actions taken by the EU Member States in the face of COVID-19 pandemic, using the EU report on the application of the 2015 Package Travel Directive. Finally, the paper exhibits case law relating to tourism that evolved as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reported cases are pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union, which means that all EU Member States are still waiting for the final judgement. The author supports the views presented by Advocate General Laila Medina and strongly believes that the protection of tourists will be continued.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a new perspective on travel. This applies not only to their practice but also to the legal standpoint, with all the associated consequences. This article aims to present the most relevant aspects related to the organization of package travels during the COVID-19 pandemic. This problem, in these extraordinary circumstances, is a major challenge for both tour operators and tourists. The article will raise current issues related to the cancellation of the trip from both the tour operator and the tourist, as well as matters linked with incurring additional, previously unforeseen costs. No less important, also from the legal-practical point of view, is the issue of compliance of national regulations with the EU provisions in this area. The Polish legislator’s transgression of EU law could potentially result in financial liability of the Republic of Poland not only towards EU authorities for breach of procedures but also, and perhaps most importantly, towards citizens pursuing their claims in court proceedings.
The purpose of the article is to research the nature of the projected package travel directive and its aims, scope, as well as the specific terminology, and to point out their importance for the future of tourism in the EU and in Poland. The author analyses the proposal of the European Commission for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on package travel and assisted travel arrangements of 9 July 2013, and the European Parliament legislative resolution of 12 March 2014, with relevant documents applied in the legislative proceedings by EU institutions and the Polish organs. The article presents the issues of maximum nature of the projected directive and its still undecided scope. It also signals difficulties and consequences concerning imprecise terms used in that project. The author expresses his conviction that the discussed directive will be accepted by the European Parliament and the Council not earlier than in 2015, while the first positive outcomes of these regulations for tourism in the EU and Poland will be perceivable after the implementation of the directive by the EU member states, probably not earlier than in the second half of 2017.
In the article, the authors discuss the admissibility of conducting class action proceedings in the event of the insolvency of a travel and tour operator and/or of a business facilitating the purchase of linked travel services. In particular, consideration must be given to identifying the entity against whom such a claim may be brought. Secondly, the effectiveness of such a solution and its admissibility in the context of current statutory solutions should be analyzed. The article also includes de lege lata and de lege ferenda considerations.
PL
Autorzy artykułu podejmują rozważania na temat dopuszczalności prowadzenia postępowań grupowych w przypadku niewypłacalności przedsiębiorcy turystycznego – organizatora turystyki i przedsiębiorcy ułatwiającego nabywanie powiązanych usług turystycznych. W szczególności zastanowienia wymaga wskazanie podmiotu, wobec którego takie roszczenie może być wytoczone. Ponadto należy przeanalizować skuteczność takiego rozwiązania i jego dopuszczalność w kontekście obecnych rozwiązań ustawowych. W artykule nie zabraknie rozważań de lege lata i de lege ferenda.
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