Information for travelers on a package tour in accordance with § 651a of the German Civil Code (BGB)
Key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302:
– Travelers will receive all essential information about the package before concluding the package travel contract.
– At least one trader is always liable for the proper performance of all travel services included in the contract.
– Travelers are provided with an emergency telephone number or contact details to reach the tour operator or travel agent.
– Travelers may transfer the package to another person, within a reasonable period and possibly at additional cost.
– The price of the package may only be increased if specific costs (e.g., fuel prices) increase and if this is explicitly stated in the contract. In any case, a price increase is only possible up to 20 days before the start of the package. If the price increase exceeds 8% of the package price, the traveler may withdraw from the contract. If the tour operator reserves the right to a price increase, the traveler has the right to a price reduction if the relevant costs decrease.
– Travelers may withdraw from the contract without paying a cancellation fee and receive a full refund if a significant part of the package, other than the price, is changed. If the tour operator cancels the package before its start, travelers are entitled to a refund and, if applicable, compensation.
– Travelers may withdraw from the contract without paying a cancellation fee in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, for example, if serious security problems exist at the destination that are likely to affect the package.
– Additionally, travelers may cancel the contract at any time before the start of the package upon payment of a reasonable and justifiable cancellation fee.
– If, after the start of the package, significant elements of the package cannot be provided as agreed, suitable alternative arrangements must be offered to the traveler at no extra cost. The traveler may withdraw from the contract without paying a cancellation fee (under German law, this is referred to as “termination”) if services are not provided in accordance with the contract and this significantly affects the execution of the package, and the tour operator fails to remedy the situation.
– The traveler is entitled to a price reduction and/or compensation if travel services are not provided or are provided improperly.
– The tour operator must provide assistance if the traveler is in difficulty.
– In the event of the tour operator’s insolvency – or, in some Member States, the travel agent’s – payments will be refunded. If the insolvency occurs after the start of the package and transportation is included, the traveler’s repatriation is guaranteed.
Best Hikes Bavaria has secured insolvency protection with Allianz Munich.*
Travelers may contact this entity or, if necessary, the competent authority (Allianz Munich, Tel.: 0800-4100280) if services are denied due to the insolvency of Best Hikes Bavaria.