Today the Russian tourists to be found in every corner of the globe. Advertising travel companies beckoning invitations to the most exotic travel, and it would seem, it is time for any, the most incredible dream can be realized in life, but ... the holiday season and again the newspapers and television are full of stories about the missing tourist agencies affected travelers, deceived in their expectations and have lost not only their money, but time and rest. If the money is still possible to return the time - alas. No, of course, next year it will be possible to apply to another travel agency, but where is the guarantee that everything will not be repeated again.
At the present time, the growth of tourism companies and reducing the cost of tourism services to attract customers are reflected in the quality of service. But even if you paid for the holiday more than its neighbor, it does not mean that you will rest better than he, as violations of the rights of tourists and non-performance commitments on the part of tourist companies was, unfortunately, the daily norm.
Here is one of the most innocuous of actual cases, fully paid holiday.
«In one publicized enough and popular not only in St. Petersburg travel companies, I bought tickets to Egypt in the hotel ... ... .. paid for an individual transfer (driving with a young son), all-inclusive and room overlooking the sea. We arrived and immediately found out that there is no transfer, and we're going along with everyone in the bus. I had to put up and somehow reach, alternately fighting it with the heat (the bus was not even a hint at the air conditioner and the windows did not open), then a raging child. Arriving at the hotel late at night, found out that we have a standard room overlooking the courtyard, with huge trash tanks! Trying to prove something, but ... We politely explained that no other rooms available there, and if they do we need a roof over your head, you are occupied in what is still free, that goes to another group of tourists, and the numbers will soon not be ... The hotel did not match any descriptions of the staff travel agency, or photographs that they showed us, no zvednosti which we were promised ... Air conditioning in rooms cooled only in the evenings. The bathroom tile was covered with gray matter. I would not like to think that this mold.
But the interesting thing was waiting for us ahead. It turns out that we had only breakfast and there was no "all inclusive" was not in sight! In the morning, of course the eggs in any form. Yogurt for some reason, were poured into bowls, ladle to which was annexed for convenience. Appetite Of course, he did not call, because with such a terrible heat is a liquid of unknown date of manufacture, and even more so to even think to feed it all of his young son. We tried to call a travel agency that has proved very difficult to do (no one answers the phone). Finally on the second day to get through to a pretty girl in a travel agency and heard: "Well, we made a mistake ... well, okay ... well, you will refund the difference." Back then they called a travel agency. And it was then, and began the most interesting. In absolutely boorish form we have refused to return the difference (which is about 750 dollars). The answer is - sue! "And in the end they were just throwing up when he heard our voices. To our question:" How come you can deal with customers? " they simply replied: "And you can to us is no longer coming. Others come to us! »
What can you do to avoid getting into a similar situation? Well, first, rely on their own experience, intuition and knowledge. Here are some tips to help you, good to spend your vacation. It is clear that here the most important - make the right choice of travel companies, and this problem is not so simple as it seems at first glance.

Question:
How to choose a travel agency?

Answer:
With experience, knowledge and intuition.

Travel Agencies in Russia are divided into two types - tour operators and travel agents. Differences between first and second essential and should be critical in terms of "tourist-consumers" when choosing a tourism organization.
Tour operators - a company that directly consist of certain contractual relationships with holiday destination. They buy back rates, which in turn resell. In addition, they chartered planes (including, sometimes buying back a block to the charter). In other words, tour operators are the direct executors services for recreation. In addition, the tour operator's liability under the law must be insured or guaranteed by the bank guarantee.
Travel - this intermediary firms. Tours themselves, they do not form, and sell the finished tourist product, which is organized by third parties - the tour operators. In the case of travel agencies, travel cost for the product includes the cost of services and tour operators, travel agencies and self-sufficiency activities, and, of course, profit. Thus, the price of travel services in travel agencies, as a rule, increases. Yes, and the jurisprudence shows that to recover from such a company anything difficult. After all, travel agents, as already mentioned, the organizers of rest. Accordingly, they are responsible only for the accuracy of the information on tourism products, and not by the rest. In other words, all claims of tourists in any case sent to the tour operator, because it is responsible for the tourist product. If there is a claim for flight delays or traffic - a claim forwarded to the carrier. If, for recreation - the tour operator. Pay attention to the contract with the travel agency. Under the law, it must present information about the tour operator.
In general, claims against the travel agency may be made, but we must bear in mind that the process likely will be delayed: in a chain of tourist -turagentsvo-tour operator may be present, third parties (if the tour operator, in turn, bought a portion of tourist package from another operator).
favorite with the consumer's perspective (both material and moral quality- ) are tour operators, as there are no extra charges for mediation and, if necessary, the claims are presented it to him as the direct executor of tourist services. But here, waiting for a catch. Often, the tourist can not buy the product directly from the operator, because not all of them work with individuals. But as a rule, everyone has their own network of travel agencies, which sell mostly tourist products of this particular operator.
When choosing travel agencies should keep in mind that one of the main criteria should be the experience of the company in the market of tourist services and qualifications of employees of tour agency. In addition, when choosing a travel agency can not be neglected and the following criteria: you (or your relatives, friends) has a positive experience with a certain travel agency, which is fairly well known in the tourist market and has a good reputation. Do not trust companies, giving free ads in a newspaper. Better to turn to travel magazines, where advertisements give virtually all known and stable operators with contact phone numbers and addresses of "their" travel agencies.
Big plus for the travel agency is a certificate of conformity. At this point in Russia this kind of certification services is voluntary in nature - "certified" companies that are planning a long work in this market and want to win the trust of customers. When you visit a travel agency, so it is worth to pay special attention to the office. We must start from the beginning - "hangers" or, in our case, with a signboard. Signs must contain the full name of the tour operators (travel agent), its legal address, and work schedule. Further attention should be paid to the office itself (availability equipped workstations for staff, availability for visitors, the availability of brochures and catalogs, selected on rounds). finish the campaign in the travel agency to internal sensations, and make the only correct conclusion, relying on intuition, since neither the existence of a set of certificates of conformity, no highly qualified staff will not provide you 100% guarantee of quality recreation and quality services.

Question:
What to do if you found a resting place for blatant violations and inconsistencies with the contract?

Answer:
a Sherlock Holmes.

; Let's say you still got in trouble in their place is fully deserved and paid vacation and have to be content with what is, and not so dreamed about, and ready to defend their rights. In this case, you will help the novels of Agatha Christie, Akunin and other masters of the detectives, because you need to immediately become a detective, and the observer and the victim rolled into one. Well, of course, do not forget the holiday itself - combine business with pleasure. Here are some tips for collecting evidence that you can bring you the material and moral relief, when you get to the house.
You must keep all accounts, confirming forced costs. Shoot and shoot the video themselves and their friends (do not forget to set the date), meets with the same "woe-tourists" and share them with addresses and phone numbers - in this case obzavedetes not only pleasant acquaintances, and testimony. If the flight is delayed, then collect empirical evidence - Help the airport, a mark on the ticket. Each case the offense compose acts and sign all the tourists and, if possible, get autographs from the team leaders.
Very often, the proposed hotel does not meet the promised travel agency. Here you need to know the distinctive hotels by their star. We offer you some mandatory requirements for class hotel, 4 and 5 stars. With their help, you can determine what kind of hotel are available. In the four-and five-star hotels must necessarily be the following pleasant things - organization of meetings and departure (airports, railway stations), the presence of a doorman, optional luggage to room and from rooms; the hotel has a restaurant (cafe, bar), fitness center with a gym, all rooms are air conditioning around the clock, in your room on a mandatory basis, should be internal, long distance and international telephone communications, increased sound insulation and thermostat for individual temperature control, bed linen and towels should be changed daily. In addition, all sites of known and stable tour operators are always posted information about the differences in star hotels and the types of food. In other words, take everything more closely - after all details in the rest, as in life, do not happen.


Question:
What to do if you have a claim to the travel agency

Answer:
be a lawyer

If you came home, you find that after the holidays you have left a bad feeling in my soul, matured discontent or simply rest was broken, and blame no one except the travel agency, you need to become a lawyer.
Immediately upon arrival (before the expiry of 20 days), a tourist must submit a written claim. The degree of literacy making a claim depends largely on whether the tourist will be able to obtain from a consumer travel agency compensation for the anguish inconvenience. Almost every tour operator has a lawyer who filed the claim on be able to assess the degree of literacy of the originator, and make conclusions based on this - whether it is worth paying tourists to any compensation or whether their requirements can be ignored. If the claim is made correctly, then, as a rule, guide tour agencies try to find a compromise and to immediately meet the demands of tourists in the pretrial order because, in case you lose a travel agency business in court, she will suffer a big loss for dissatisfaction with the legal requirements of tourists than the "peaceful "settlement of the dispute. If the travel agency your claim ignores or refuses to comply, boldly compose suit, which capture the essence of what happened, take all your existing evidence, correctly specify the requirements and the court.
Be sure - on the part of the court in relation to you are guaranteed a loyal attitude, as judges, as a rule, too, there are tourists and the human factor no one has yet canceled. Yes, and the Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights" will be on your side. But it's possible if you have collected reliable, relevant and admissible evidence, to properly reflect the essential moments in the lawsuit and stated their demands. Ideally, of course, do not own, and consult with a qualified attorney. Faithful helpers in this case, you will be the law "About bases of tourist activity in the Russian Federation" Law on Protection of Consumer Rights and Civil Procedure Code.
However, this does not means that during the long-awaited and well-deserved break to sit at home in a stuffy apartment or villa is surrounded by flower beds. Scalded with milk, you should not blow on the water. A negative result - a result too. Especially because not every travel agent you are waiting to cheat and spoil the holiday. It is not necessary to go to the company, as on Calvary, or as to the war, his teeth clenched. Be sure and enjoy your holiday!

Andrei Kolesnikov