Selling Tourism Services at a Distance : An Analysis of the EU Consumer Acquis

New rules on distance contracts provided for the Consumer Rights Directive of 25 October 2011 do not apply to package holidays or contracts falling within the scope of the Timeshare Directive. Moreover, contracts for passenger transport services and contracts for the provision of accommodation, car rental, catering or leisure services if the contract provides for a specific date or period of performance are not covered by some of these rules. Yet measures aimed at protecting the consumer when a contract is concluded via the phone, the Internet, by mail or other means of distance communication play a role in tourism. This book helps readers to navigate through uncertainties in travel contracts regarding information requirements, the right of withdrawal or providing alternative services. Findings reveal that consumer acquis is inadequately adapted to the features of the tourism industry when an optional instrument based on the Draft Common Frame of Reference might be used in the future. New rules on distance selling provided for the Consumer Rights Directive will apply for contracts concluded after 13 June 2014 but not to package holidays or contracts falling within the scope of the Timeshare Directive. Contracts for passenger transport services and contracts for the provision of accommodation, car rental, catering or leisure services if the contract provides for a specific date or period of performance are not covered by some of these rules either. Yet measures aimed at protecting the consumer when a contract is concluded via the phone, the Internet, by mail or other means of distance communication are important to tourism. This book helps readers to navigate through uncertainties in travel contracts regarding information requirements, the right of withdrawal, and providing alternative services. Findings reveal that consumer acquis is not adapted to the features of the tourism industry when an optional instrument based on the Draft Common Frame of Reference might be used in the future Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Introduction....Pages 1-50 Information Requirements....Pages 51-100 Right of Withdrawal....Pages 101-135 Performance Rules....Pages 137-176 Conclusion....Pages 177-181 Back Matter....Pages 183-193 Introduction -- Information Requirements -- Right Of Withdrawal -- Performance Rules -- Conclusion. Josep María Bech Serrat Includes Bibliographical References And Index.