Provision of Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements

The new legislation concerning travel service combinations entered into force on 1 July 2018.

The Act on Travel Service Combinations (901/2017), the Act on Providers of Travel Service Combinations (921/2017) and the Act on Supervision and Insolvency Protection Fees for Providers of Travel Service Combinations (922/2017) entered into force on 1 July 2018. The new acts implement the EU Package Travel Directive.

The Act on Travel Service Combinations will replace the current Package Travel Act and the Act on Providers of Travel Service Combinations will replace the Travel Agency Act.

Provision of travel service combinations

Travel service combinations refer to package travel and linked travel arrangements. Packages and linked travel arrangements are defined in the Act on Travel Service Combinations.

Providers of travel service combinations must provide security against the provider’s insolvency if travellers are charged beforehand or if transport services are included in the travel arrangements. Service providers will deposit the security at the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, which will also approve it. The security must safeguard the refund of payments and the repatriation of travellers. Undertakings may apply for a reduction in the security under certain conditions.

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority will enter the undertakings in its register of liable undertakings after it has approved their security.

A liable provider of travel service combinations is obligated to pay the State an annual supervision and insolvency protection fee. The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority will be responsible for collecting the fees.

Legislation

The Act on Providers of Travel Service Combinations (921/2017) lays down provisions on the security against insolvency of providers of travel service combinations and on the regulatory control over the activities of providers of travel service combinations. The Act on Supervision and Insolvency Protection Fees for Providers of Travel Service Combinations (922/2017) lays down provisions on the supervision and insolvency protection fees for providers of travel service combinations. These acts fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

The Act on Travel Service Combinations (901/2017) lays down provisions on agreements and marketing concerning travel service combinations. It includes provisions on the definitions of travel service, package and linked travel arrangement, on entering into agreement, terms of agreement, and obligation to notify. These acts fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Justice. Read more about them on the website of the Ministry of Justice.

Further information: sari.alho(at)gov.fi