MEPs of the Movement for Rights and Freedo/Renew Europe Group call for improved protection measures

Movement for Rights and Freedom/Renew Europe MEPs call for improved measures to protect European consumers and the tourism sector

MEPs from the DPS/Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament are among the sponsors of a resolution on the consequences of the bankruptcy of the British tour operator Thomas Cook. The company filed for bankruptcy in September, leaving nearly 600,000 vacationers abroad. According to the Institute for Analyzes and Evaluations in Tourism, "Thomas Cook" has significant obligations to Bulgarian hoteliers, as payments are normally made after the realization of the trips.

The resolution, supported by the representatives of DPS in the EP - Ilhan Kyuchuk, Iskra Mihailova and Atidze Aliyeva-Veli, emphasizes that the tour operator carries out a variety of activities, including providing hotel stays, transport and leisure activities, affecting a wide range of consumers and businesses, which is why the bankruptcy falls within the scope of various sectors of European and national legislation. The resolution calls on the European Commission to investigate the reasons for the company's bankruptcy and to determine whether preventive measures could have been taken. At the same time, the text underlines the need to support Member States to deal with the negative effects on business. It is also proposed to create a special budget line for tourism in the EU within the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027), which will serve to coordinate and support the sector in the Member States, by region and at local level.

Recognizing that the case of Thomas Cook's bankruptcy may be repeated in the future, the resolution calls on the European Commission to take preventive measures to prevent negative consequences and to act to improve passenger rights and consumer protection in similar cases.

The resolution is due to be voted on on Thursday 24 October during the plenary session taking place this week in Strasbourg.