Tour operators must provide up to 3 free nights for stranded Bulgarian tourists in the Middle East after the paid tourist package expires. This was announced to TravelNews by lawyer Senzhana Milanova, who specializes in the protection of consumer rights in this area.
The measure is enshrined in Art. 90, para. 13 of the Tourism Act, which states: “When, due to irresistible and extraordinary circumstances, it is not possible to ensure the return of the traveler, as provided for in the tourist package contract, the tour operator shall cover the costs of accommodating the traveler, if possible, in an equivalent category of accommodation for a period of no more than three nights. Milanova emphasized that the same requirements are also specified in the European directive.
According to her, after these 3 free nights, tourists must pay the remaining costs themselves. The tour operator is obliged to provide them with return plane tickets when the relevant airspace opens, which are part of the tourist package. Accordingly, transfers to the airports.
“Unfortunately, the remaining tourists who are not organized by tour operators must cover their own costs in full”, said Senzhana Milanova. She added that according to the European directive on air transport, airlines are obliged to take care of passengers even in force majeure circumstances. This is stated in Regulation 261 of 2004. The carrier must provide a hotel for the passengers and then transport them to the final destination.