The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority has prohibited the operations of a Finnish tour operator
The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) has issued a prohibition against a Finnish tour operator that sells package tours to consumers. The decision concerns companies that collect advance payments from customers or whose trips include transport services.
According to the authority, the prohibition is based on the need to protect consumer rights. Tour operators have a statutory obligation to provide a security deposit that protects customers' money in the event of bankruptcy. If a company fails to meet these obligations, the authority may prohibit its operations.
The Package Travel Act is designed to protect travelers in situations where a tour operator is unable to fulfill its obligations. The security system ensures that consumers receive their money back or are repatriated from abroad if a trip is cancelled due to the company's financial difficulties.
It is recommended that consumers always check before booking a trip whether the tour operator is included in the tour operator register maintained by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority. The register is public and can be found on the authority's website.
The authority actively monitors operators in the travel industry and intervenes in situations where the safety or rights of consumers are at risk. Travelers should be vigilant and verify a company's reliability, especially when paying large sums for a trip in advance.