The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority has banned a tour operator from selling package tours
The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) has issued a ban on a tour operator that has failed to fulfill its statutory obligations. According to the authority, the company has been unable to demonstrate that its affairs are in order regarding consumer safety.
There are strict rules associated with the sale of package tours, which are intended to protect travelers. Tour operators are required to provide a security deposit that guarantees customers' money back in the event that the company, for example, goes bankrupt. The KKV monitors these security deposits regularly.
The authority's decision means that the company in question is no longer permitted to sell new package tours. The ban will remain in effect until the company has rectified the deficiencies and met the requirements set by the authority. The decision aims to ensure that Finnish consumers can purchase travel safely.
Consumers are advised to always check before booking a trip that the tour operator is included in the tour operator register maintained by the KKV. From the register, one can easily see whether the company has the necessary security deposits in place. If a company cannot be found in the register, purchasing a package tour may be a risk.