The German Federal Government has addressed consumer rights concerning package holidays in light of the escalating consequences of climate change in the Mediterranean region.
Responding to a request from the Green Party parliamentary group, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action confirmed that travellers retain the right to withdraw from a package holiday contract at any time prior to departure.
In the event of cancellation, the travel operator forfeits their claim to the agreed travel price, though they may be entitled to reasonable compensation. However, this right to compensation does not apply if the cancellation is due to unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances at the destination or in its immediate vicinity that significantly impede the execution of the journey or transportation.
Should the travel price have already been paid in full or partially, the travel operator is obligated to promptly refund those payments, within a maximum of 14 days. The same applies if the travel operator cancels the package holiday due to unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances preventing contract fulfillment.
Recent climate-related events in the Mediterranean have included temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, wildfires, drought, water shortages and dangerous algal blooms. The Ministry directed travellers to resources such as the Robert Koch Institute and foreign travel advisories issued by the Federal Foreign Office for further information.
Regarding the ongoing development of a new tourism strategy, the Ministry did not specify whether it would include particular recommendations for travellers concerning climate change. It noted, however, that the national climate adaptation strategy is applicable to the tourism sector.
Green Party politician Stefan Schmidt criticized the government’s response, asserting that it fails to adequately address the challenges facing both travellers and the tourism industry in the context of a changing climate, including increasing economic risks and growing health concerns for holidaymakers.
