Germany’s federal government has recently addressed consumer rights concerning package holidays, particularly in light of increasingly apparent climate change impacts in the Mediterranean region.
Responding to a parliamentary inquiry from the Green Party, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action confirmed that travellers retain the right to withdraw from package holiday contracts at any time before departure. Should a traveller exercise this right, the tour operator loses their claim to the agreed travel price but may be entitled to reasonable compensation.
However, this compensation claim does not apply if the cancellation stems from unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances at the destination or in its immediate vicinity that significantly impede the execution of the package holiday or transportation.
The ministry clarified that if the travel price has already been paid, in full or in part, the tour operator is obligated to promptly refund the payments, no later than within 14 days. This also applies if the tour operator cancels the package holiday due to unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances preventing contract fulfillment.
The response comes amidst escalating climate-related challenges in the Mediterranean, including extreme heat reaching 40 degrees Celsius, wildfires, drought, water scarcity and harmful algal blooms.
The ministry directed travellers to resources such as the Robert Koch Institute and the Foreign Office’s travel advisories for relevant information. When questioned about whether the currently developing national tourism strategy would include specific recommendations for travellers considering the impacts of climate change, the ministry indicated that the national climate adaptation strategy applies to the tourism sector.
Stefan Schmidt, a Green Party politician, expressed criticism, stating that the government is failing to adequately address the concerns of travellers and the tourism industry in the face of climate change consequences, highlighting both increasing economic risks and growing health concerns for tourists.
