Adviser's answers

Mrs. Colucci and her son’s study tour

Mrs. Colucci would like to organize for her son a period of study abroad, in order to give him the possibility to have new experiences and face a different culture. Therefore, she contacted a travel agency asking information about “package tours” but she discovered by surprise that no travel package was suitable for my situation.  Confused, Mrs. Colucci turned to the European Consumer Centre n order to receive an explanation.
 
 

Solution of the case 

Tourists who bought a package tour benefit from the protection offered by the Directive EC n. 90/314. According to EU legislation, “package tour” means the pre-arranged combination of not fewer than two of the following when sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price and when the service covers a period of more than twenty-four hours or includes overnight accommodation:

- transport;
- accommodation;
- other tourist services not ancillary to transport or accommodation and accounting for a significant proportion of the package.
 

However, The Court of Justice of the European Communities, in the judgment C-237/97, specified the scope of the Directive EC n. 90/314 on package travel, package holidays and package tours, clarifying that it does not apply to travel:

- comprising student exchanges of about six months' or a year's duration;
- the purpose of which is attendance by the student at an educational establishment in the host country in order to familiarize himself with its people and culture;
- during which the student stays with a host family as if he were a member thereof free of charge.
 

For further information or to ask for ECC-Net assistance in order to solve your dispute:
ECC-Net Italia
info@ecc-netitalia.it
Tel 0644238090