Head of Armenian tourism federation blames tour operator for spoiling tourists' vacations
30.07.2019,
18:31
The situation with Armenian tourists who were stranded in the Egyptian Red Sea resort Hurgada happened because of the violation of the established rules for the transportation of tourists by tour operators, Mekhak Apresyan, the head of the Armenian Tourism Federation non-governmental organization, told a news conference today.
YEREVAN, July 30 /ARKA/. The situation with Armenian tourists who were stranded in the Egyptian Red Sea resort Hurgada happened because of the violation of the established rules for the transportation of tourists by tour operators, Mekhak Apresyan, the head of the Armenian Tourism Federation non-governmental organization, told a news conference today.
On July 25, it emerged that about 130 Armenian tourists spending their vacation in Hurgada on the Red Sea, could not return home due to the cancellation of the Hurgada-Yerevan flight. The tourists bought tickets from A&R company. The Armenian government had to hire a passenger jet to evacuate the tourists.
According to the Armenian embassy in Cairo, the Armenian tour agency A& R Tour failed to pay to the Greek airline Ogrange2Fly which was due to carry out the flight. The Armenian government was said to pay the Greek airline 47 million drams (about $100,000) to bring more 132 holidaymakers back to Armenia.
"Many tour operators in Armenia works with gross violations of the rules on the transportation of tourists, without signing relevant contracts with them," Apresyan said. He said contracts should clearly state the dates when the travel begins and ends, its route, the type of vehicle, hotel facility and the meals.
“Unfortunately, not all customers require such a contract from a tour operator, ” said Apresyan.
According to him, the current legislation clearly regulates the work of tour operators, which in the case of mass complaints, may even lose their licenses.
“The law regulates the minimum requirements that each tour operator must ensure. In the event of litigation, written and substantiated complaints of victims are considered thoroughly, as their rights are guaranteed by law. Accordingly, before signing the proposed package, a tourist must carefully examine it” he said.
Apresyan said also it is necessary to update the current legislation on tour operators and the organization of tourism in order to avoid such cases in the future.
He said a draft law to amend the law had been developed and discussed by the parties concerned, but it was not adopted because of political developments in 2018 spring. He said it can be reconsidered now and then sent for the approval of the government .-- 0--
On July 25, it emerged that about 130 Armenian tourists spending their vacation in Hurgada on the Red Sea, could not return home due to the cancellation of the Hurgada-Yerevan flight. The tourists bought tickets from A&R company. The Armenian government had to hire a passenger jet to evacuate the tourists.
According to the Armenian embassy in Cairo, the Armenian tour agency A& R Tour failed to pay to the Greek airline Ogrange2Fly which was due to carry out the flight. The Armenian government was said to pay the Greek airline 47 million drams (about $100,000) to bring more 132 holidaymakers back to Armenia.
"Many tour operators in Armenia works with gross violations of the rules on the transportation of tourists, without signing relevant contracts with them," Apresyan said. He said contracts should clearly state the dates when the travel begins and ends, its route, the type of vehicle, hotel facility and the meals.
“Unfortunately, not all customers require such a contract from a tour operator, ” said Apresyan.
According to him, the current legislation clearly regulates the work of tour operators, which in the case of mass complaints, may even lose their licenses.
“The law regulates the minimum requirements that each tour operator must ensure. In the event of litigation, written and substantiated complaints of victims are considered thoroughly, as their rights are guaranteed by law. Accordingly, before signing the proposed package, a tourist must carefully examine it” he said.
Apresyan said also it is necessary to update the current legislation on tour operators and the organization of tourism in order to avoid such cases in the future.
He said a draft law to amend the law had been developed and discussed by the parties concerned, but it was not adopted because of political developments in 2018 spring. He said it can be reconsidered now and then sent for the approval of the government .-- 0--
