The Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV) has prepared a document with 12 proposals to improve the Social Tourism Program, known as the Imserso trips (Institute for Seniors and Social Rights). This report will be presented to the new Government team resulting from the next November 29 elections. One of the most important requests is the one that refers to the RD (Royal Decree) 933/2021 by which “the obligations of documentary registration and information of natural or legal persons who carry out lodging and motor vehicle rental activities are established.”
They ask to be excluded from it and also demand as a priority a change in Imserso trips where there should be more places and support in different European regulations. As appears in this statement that they have published on their website, the employer emphasizes that this documentary record of travelers brings with it “disproportionate obligations” to companies and questions whether it is adapted to the new legal framework and the EU Data Protection Law.
This is one of the requests, but on the other hand and in relation to Imserso, an increase in the number of places is requested, that the economic conditions in which the agencies participate be reviewed and that the place reservation systems be improved. They also propose that distribute these places equitablythat shifts be reviewed and that administrative procedures be simplified.
Additional obligations to the European Package Travel Directive
Another aspect discussed in the statement is the transposition into Spanish legislation of the new European Package Travel Directive, and the employers’ association is asking that additional obligations be introduced to those that already appear in the standard and that the deadlines for claiming be maintained.
At European level there is concern about the rights of air passengers, centered on the point that agencies return intermediation commissions when a ticket has to be refunded, even if all previous services have been provided adequately.
They ask that Spain promote the challenge of all these claims before the Court of Justice of the EU. And at this point, there is another demand from CEAV in which they demand that the Special Regime for Travel Agencies, known as REAV, be reformed so that “distortions” that affect the competitiveness of the sector are eliminated.
Avoid intrusion in the travel agency sector
The document highlights the importance of having measures to eliminate intrusion in travel agencies by promoting a campaign that informs consumers about the additional guarantees that contracting trips with agencies that are operating legally, and that pay special attention to digital channels or social networks, gives them.
A permanent direct and active communication channel has been established with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve official travel recommendations. “The objective is to reinforce the exchange of information in the event of crises or extraordinary situations that may affect the safety of travelers and tourism activity.”
When referring to public institutions and administrations, they highlight that it is necessary to strengthen the working group on visas in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Turespaña and other representatives of the sector participate. The purpose will be to streamline procedures and resolve problems that affect the arrival of foreign tourists to Spain.
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CEAV has also raised other points with the new Government team, such as speeding up the payment of bonuses for residents in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, the launch of the Technological Institute of Travel Agencies, expansion of the Youth Cultural Bonus so that they finance cultural outings and changing article 102 of the Land Transport Management Law.