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Travel agencies: July 1st – Automatic transition of concession (licence) and new mandatory information in package tour contracts
Travel offices, travel agencies, carriers – two business days until major changes in the sale of travel services take effect. Every day a new contribution; every day an overview of five important changes.
1) Automatic transition of concession (licence) – on July 1st, the concessions of all travel agencies existing at this time will become concessions to organise package tours. It shall become necessary to apply for a concession to mediate related travel services. An administrative fee of CZK 1000 shall be waived for all applications filed in July.
2) 14-day deadline for refunds – in the event of a withdrawal from a package tour contract, the travel agency shall be obliged to refund all payments to the customer without undue delay, but no later than within 14 days of withdrawal.
3) Cruises – cruises and boat trips with diving that include an overnight stay are clearly deemed package tours. They are considered package tours regardless of whether they are coupled with transport to the harbour.
4) Contact information for the organiser’s local representative – Before concluding contracts with customers, travel agencies shall be obliged to provide them with: contact information for the organiser’s local representative, including his/her name, address, telephone number, e-mail and, if available, fax number; points of contact; or other services that allow customers to quickly contact the travel agency and communicate with it effectively.
5) Cancellation insurance – travel agencies are now obliged to inform customers before concluding a contact with them about the possibility of purchasing cancellation insurance and insurance covering the costs of assistance and repatriation from abroad in case of accident, illness or death.
The changes introduced by the amendment to Act No. 159/1999 Coll. may fundamentally influence the way many businesses active in tourism operate. We recommend that businesses perform an analysis of the travel services they offer their customers to ascertain whether they sell package tours, associated travel services or other travel services. Such analysis may show the need to modify the concession, insurance, contribution to the guarantee fund and contractual documents. The law firm Holubová advokáti provides bespoke consultations, training, analyses, templates and guidance through the entire process.
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Jasper Brinkman
Jasper Brinkman
"Following a devastating hotel fire in Prague, the law firm Holubová advokáti, led by attorney Klara Dvorakova, successfully represented our extended family as a group of victims. The firm navigated complex international insurance and compensation laws to defend our rights.
I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts the firm had to make to bring our case to a successful compensation under extremely difficult circumstances."
Stewarts
Stewarts
"A visit to her daughter in London turned Eva's life upside down when she says she stepped into a crossing on a green light but was hit by a car. Despite her remarkable bravery, she faced a long treatment due to fractures in her pelvis, and the associated limitations and pain are likely to persist for the rest of her life. Regular headaches and impaired concentration compound her challenges.
Eva contacted us through an organization temporarily helping her manage her difficult living situation. At that time, she was destitute, relying only on subsistence payments. We were able to assist her because we specialize in personal injury and have contacts with proven colleagues abroad.
We worked with Stewarts, a UK law firm, on this case. Attorneys Klára Dvořáková and Rebecca Huxford helped Eva with the documentation in her case, explaining her options and the differences between the Czech and British systems of healthcare and social benefits reimbursement. Within a few months, thanks to the professional cooperation between the two offices, an offer of compensation from the insurance company of approximately CZK seven million was achieved. The client accepted this settlement because she did not want to deal with courts in the United Kingdom.
Subsequently, we assisted the client with related tax issues and contacted Auditone, a tax consultancy firm, which arranged for the filing of a tax return. Compensation for lost income is taxable, unlike most personal injury compensation.
'No one has done as much for me as you,' Eva said.
The fact that we were able to help Eva gives our work meaning and brings us great joy. We are very happy that, thanks to our many years of active involvement in the international professional organization PEOPIL, we can cooperate on such cases."