Earthquake chaos: Holidaymakers are fighting for rights of withdrawal in Greece

Earthquake chaos: Holidaymakers are fighting for rights of withdrawal in Greece

Santorin, Griechenland - The recent earthquakes on the Greek island of Santor and Crete have shaken the travel world and raise numerous questions regarding the rights of vacationers. While there are many popular destinations in Greece, Italy, Turkey and Thailand affected by these natural events, the situation for travelers often remains unclear.Mercuryreports that the legal framework for those affected are complex.

Tour operators are not obliged to clarify holidaymakers in their information about potential earthquake risks. Fears before earthquakes alone do not justify a free resignation. This presents many travelers with challenges, especially if they are unsure whether they should start their trip or not.

Reisite resignation for natural disasters

Travelers who are already in the affected areas should be particularly attentive. LoudADACvacationers can cancel a package tour free of charge if there are extraordinary circumstances at the holiday destination. This includes massive destruction that significantly affects the journey or implementation of the trip.

However, the circumstances must be directly connected to the trip. An example of this would be if a volcano breaks in the south of the country, while the airport in the north is still operational. In such cases, no free resignation is possible.

Attention on individual trips

The following applies to individual travelers: In the case of self -booked accommodations, you are responsible for your return flights and accommodations and must not simply cancel free of charge if the accommodation is still accessible and habitable. Only if the trip is significantly impaired can vacationers consider the termination. Direct communication with every contractual partner is essential here.

In addition, travelers should keep an eye on the official travel warnings of the Federal Foreign Office. These can represent evidence of extraordinary circumstances that justify free resignation.

Tour operator in responsibility

When traveling organized by a tour operator, they are obliged to inform the travelers on site about the current situation and, if necessary, provide replacement accommodations. If an early return trip is necessary, the days already spent must be paid, while money is refunded for the rest of the time.

Furthermore, the organizer is responsible for organizing the return trip and bears the additional costs, should not be possible. The legal framework is clear: cancellations due to exceptional circumstances, such as earthquakes, lead to specific rights for travelers that they should definitely know.

The situation for the holidaymakers concerned remains tense and it is essential to find out about the rights and opportunities before the trip in order to be prepared in the event of cases.