Russia has strengthened its client protection for tourists

The State Duma has passed a law that clearly defines what constitutes a tour package. This eliminates vague definitions and will help develop domestic and inbound tourism.

For trips within Russia, a tour package is now officially defined as a set of services that necessarily includes accommodations at a hotel, resort, etc., as well as at least one key service: transfer, excursion, guide, or instructor. For international travel, the rules remain the same.

It is known that travelers will now receive a guarantee of full tour operator liability for all services. If problems arise with a hotel, transportation, or excursion, claims can be made directly to the tour operator, rather than to individual contractors.

At the same time, the law will level the playing field for all market players. Responsible companies will no longer compete with those who evaded liability by exploiting loopholes in the old rules. Now, liability for the entire package is a uniform standard for everyone. Businesses are being given a transition period to adapt to new requirements without disrupting their current operations.

Author: Ivan Vavilov