EU package travel directive: entrepreneurs fear catastrophic consequences!

EU package travel directive: entrepreneurs fear catastrophic consequences!

On September 16, 2025, the EU Parliament adopted a controversial recast of the Package Travel Directive, which has caused concern among many representatives of the tourism industry. The majority of MPs followed the position of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. Both Gregor Kadanka from the Travel Agencies Association and Georg Imlauer from the Hotel Industry Association of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) expressed their regret about the vote result and warned of the far-reaching consequences for small and medium-sized companies.

One of the central problems is the unclear definition of the term “package trip”. While some unclear provisions were rejected in the discussion, legal certainty remains inadequate in many points. Particularly critical is the fact that bookings made within 24 hours of an undefined “request” for additional services can be classified as package tours. This leads to considerable legal uncertainty, as Imlauer rightly points out.

Additional bureaucratic burdens and economic risks

The new directive's threat of additional bureaucratic burdens and exorbitant penalties for violations are creating an alarming mood among those affected. Kadanka warns that such regulations could particularly overwhelm family-run businesses and questions the economic viability of traditional package tours. Due to the new requirements, small businesses could be inadvertently pushed into the role of tour operators without having the necessary resources available.

Another aspect of the debate includes the fear that consumers could switch to less protected online providers from non-EU countries due to the strict new regulations. This poses a risk of increased danger for travelers, especially if providers have problems or even go bankrupt.

Trilogue negotiations are imminent

Trilogue negotiations between the EU Commission, the EU Council and Parliament are planned to begin in the autumn. The representatives of the Chamber of Commerce are committed to a balanced package travel guideline that adequately takes into account the concerns of the industry. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial for the European travel market.

In conclusion, it can be said that, despite the arguments of advocates who are striving for stronger consumer protection, many industry representatives speak of “misunderstood consumer protection” and fear that tour operators will be overburdened. The new package travel directive could not only endanger the profitability of many companies, but also lead to a change in the market that would be risky for many travelers.

Further information is available on the website of Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Aviation Direct to find.