Another month and a half ago, anyone and had no idea, departure from Moscow, say, Barcelona or London, to ask how things in Iceland. Today, all who are preparing for a trip in the first place people think, but will not break if their travel plans Eyyafyatlayokudl. But the big holiday season begins. Many Russians have even changed their usual routes, and this summer are going to lie down, to go to train - in Scandinavia, for example. Fortunately, the magnitude of the threat, which is disturbing the world in mid-April, are not the same.
Volcano reduces the activity. But the residue of hundreds of thousands of potential tourists, as they say, has remained. In this case, "NOR" found that in the event of force majeure air travelers can count only on the goodwill of carriers or tour operators. By law, we must not help anyone.
Those Icelandic volcano caused personally feel like cradle may be ours, it would seem the most scrutinized plans, refer to the lived experience of different . From "I will go only to where you can get the train" to "in this adventure was not even something amusing." Nevertheless, the majority to this day afraid that will have to go through something like that. From 15 to 20 April was canceled more than 100 thousand flights. As a result, the industry has lost about $ 2 billion. In Russia about 40 thousand people who bought tickets for more than 650 flights were unable to reach destinations.
In May, history repeated itself. May 11 flights canceled in the south of Spain. May 17 closed airports UK and Holland. May 21 could not fly out of the air terminal Irish and British again. After that scientists have to say that the volcano finally got to die, or at least not throw the ashes into dangerous for air travel numbers. Nevertheless, they estimated ("seemingly", "as if") feel: full confidence in the fact that ash is no longer knocking on our hearts, no.
However, be that as it may, the summer season begins, and to cancel it can not be any disasters. Today, only a day from Moscow to London and Paris sent 8.9 regular flights to Tel Aviv - 8 (except, of course, Saturday), to Berlin and Barcelona - 6-7. Charters - another story, during the peak weeks of the season they will amount to tens per day for each of the most popular among our fans overseas holiday destinations. According to the forecast by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the flow of tourists in 2010 will increase by 3-4% compared to 2009. In this April Aviation collapse, according to the same UNWTO, led to only minor losses of the industry: less than 0,3% of the annual international tourist traffic and 0,5% - from Europe. As for Russians, in connection with verse 30% of tourists canceled the May tour, with more than 70% of them agreed to replace him on tour or transfer.
According to domestic tour operators , the volcano of our people are not scared. Russians demand for foreign holidays is high, and the beginning of season tours are increasingly being sold.
President of the Professional League tourist Andrew Ignatieff told "NO", that April and May holidays shown: sales tours now at the pre-crisis level of 2007. First, he said, an effect pent-up demand - last year because of crisis citizens first refused to travel, and now catching up. Secondly, it is very much a growing demand in the European direction - the euro has fallen in price, and buying trips, which cost originally denominated in that currency, it was simply more profitable. Well, to be more offensive if the long-awaited vacation goes wrong. But many, as acknowledged by tour operators, reduce it for the same reasons of economy, the crisis with the usual two weeks to one.
Potential travelers continue to closely monitor the news from Iceland. Of course, if the element is again clear up, ask to be no one to - on it and the elements. Nevertheless, as told to "NOT" in one of the capital tourist agencies in the event of such force majeure whole responsibility falls on the shoulders of airlines: it should take care of the food and hotel accommodation if the airport closed for a long time. However, tour operators swear that their customers will not throw. "At that time there was such a mess, since before that someone has not experienced a similar, and sometimes it was not clear what to do - said" NO "in a travel agency. - For our customers, we were constantly in touch. For example, when the Milan airport was closed, we are on the buses ferrying them to Rome, while there is also not closed ».
For this, of course, special thanks. And yet. Let us imagine a situation: a man comes to, say, "Sheremetyevo" and learns that his flight canceled due to the fact that the airport in the country where it's supposed to fly, is closed indefinitely. What should I do? Experts give the answer, as they say, by precedent. "When a volcano, we offer our clients a transfer flight to another date, or compensation for the full cost of the ticket," - said "NO" public relations director of one of the largest airlines in Russia Sergei Byhal. Home easier, and what to do if stuck in another country? "At that time we have warned clients in advance that there was a similar situation, which is why we have almost no passengers at airports - says Mr. Byhal. - Tourists are fed and housed in hotels. Again, we offer an alternative: you can rebook your ticket or to receive compensation ».
As told" NO "to the travel agent is in principle possible option with the postponement of the trip, a firm can go to the client to meet and to book a hotel at a later date. Thus, the trip will simply be shifted. In this case the person changes the ticket and departs later. But all this is an ideal case. Any seasoned traveler will tell you that such a happy coincidence - a rarity, especially at the most popular destinations. Moreover, during the peak season in some hotels is the so-called booking. That is one place to sell multiple tickets. A couple of years ago, this issue gathered steam rose in Egypt, when to bring order to the hospitality market, it was necessary to require intervention by local authorities. Well, how "easy" perezakazat flights, and say not. In addition, many tour operators, if and agree to return the money picked holiday, taking into account the deduction of actual expenses, that is, minus 5% of the tour price. That is, the element is still responsible traveler - money.
One time in the market actively advertised a special kind of insurance - from his own recognizance. Buy a cheap insurance policy and sleep: if you change plans and circumstances for canceled trips to receive compensation. Maybe the way it should do? Alas, in this case and it does not work. How do I find "NO", the insurance on his own recognizance involves death, injury, illness of the insured, damage of property (fire, leakage, acts of third parties), even a challenge to the military commissariat. But not a volcanic eruption.
When travel companies and air carriers tell us how tenderly and reverently take care of "volcanic" days of customer recall a statement that on April 16 (activity of the volcano was then on peak) has made the Association of Tour Operators of Russia. From this it followed that no airline or tour operators are not required to reimburse the cost of tickets to customers in connection with the postponement or cancellation of flights, because in case of force majeure the parties do not assume any liability for failure to fulfill its obligations. As the lawyers, unfortunately, the way it is.
«The whole trip can be divided into two parts: the obligation to transport himself and rest, that is, hotel services, excursions and so on, - said" NO "attorney Eugene Kolesnik . - With regard to the carrier, according to current legislation, it is not liable in the event of force majeure. However, airlines, concerned about its reputation, often reimburse the customers expense. As for the rest, the services rendered are not the fault of the citizen. It is assumed that he alone can reach the place, for example, on the train. The only thing you can do in this case - is pre-stop tour. That is, if you knew that there was a similar situation and you realize that the hotel you will not get or, say, does not make sense to fly there for the remaining two days, you have to remove yourself booking a hotel. You will have to pay a fine, but at least you will get the remainder of the sum ».
In other words, by law, we generally have no right to demand anything. "Download the right, of course, possible, but with caution, because the attitude towards us depends on the kindness of those who have already paid money for services.