A The National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAV) issued a warning on Monday about the impacts of the new European Package Travel Directive, which is currently under negotiation between the European Parliament and the European Council.
“ANAV welcomes the progress in negotiations between the European Parliament and the European Council regarding the revision of the Package Travel Directive, but emphasizes the need to ensure a balance between consumer protection and the economic sustainability of travel agencies in Portugal,” a statement accessed by Notícias ao Minuto reads.
What will change?
In the same note, ANAV identifies the main advantages of the new directive:
- Enhancement of traveler confidence – “the new reimbursement and protection mechanisms in case of insolvency are expected to increase security and, consequently, demand for travel agencies”;
- European harmonization – “clearer and more uniform rules provide greater legal predictability, especially for agencies operating in different EU markets”;
- Clarity in contractual relationships – “greater legal certainty in defining packages and in the obligations of providers, such as hotels and airlines”.
“We believe the revision of the Directive will benefit consumers and help reinforce trust in the sector. However, it is essential that the transposition into national legislation is balanced, ensuring that travel agencies, particularly the small and medium-sized enterprises that make up the majority of the sector in Portugal, are not overburdened with disproportionate costs and responsibilities,” comments Miguel Quintas, president of ANAV, as cited in the note.
The ANAV – National Association of Travel Agencies, formed during the pandemic, criticized a proposal to revise a community regulation, which defines the rights of air passengers in the European Union (EU), considering that it prioritizes airlines.
Lusa | 13:47 – 12/06/2025
These are the main risks identified by ANAV:
- Increase in operational costs – “stricter requirements in terms of insurance, guarantee funds, and reimbursement deadlines could represent significant burdens, especially for micro and small agencies”;
- Impact on cash flow – “the new rules on cancellations and vouchers, though protective of consumers, may create financial instability for companies”;
- Expanded responsibility – “the broader definition of ‘tourist package’ could expose smaller agencies to more complex obligations, previously uncommon in the Portuguese market”.
ANAV assures that it “will closely monitor the process of transposing the directive into Portuguese legislation, providing technical and legal support to member agencies”.
“The association will also enhance dialogue with national authorities to ensure compensation or adaptation support measures, particularly in terms of training, insurance, and digital innovation,” the statement reads.
The focus is on the European directive aimed at protecting consumers purchasing organized trips; the new rules resulting from the revision, as noted by ANAV in a statement, have been considered by the Consumer Protection Committee since Thursday.
Lusa | 14:13 – 30/06/2025
