Following OFT enforcement action, 12 airlines have agreed to include debit card surcharges in the headline price rather than surprise consumers at the end of the booking process. Any surcharges for paying by credit card will be easy to find when booking online. Aer Lingus, BMI Baby, Eastern Airways, easyJet, Flybe, German Wings, Jet2, Lufthansa, Ryanair, Thomas Cook, Thomson (TUI) and Wizz Air were subject to an OFT consumer law investigation and have agreed to change their practices. >>>

The Hungarian hospitality is legendary. Tourists arriving to this country will most likely experience high level, courteous service by local businesses. Unfortunately, not unlike in most other countries, there are some dishonest operators, merchants, restaurant owners who will try various tricks to cheat unsuspecting tourists. Most of these tricks can be prevented by paying proper attention to some things while we are taking in the sights, sounds and culture of Hungary. This leaflet should provide some help in that area..  >>>

Passengers stranded at airports or awaiting missing luggage may now use a smartphone application to check their rights immediately and on the spot. Just in time for the summer holidays, the European Commission has launched an application for smartphones which covers air and rail transport and works on four mobile platforms: Apple iPhone and iPad, Google Android, RIM Blackberry and Microsoft Windows Phone 7. The app is available in 22 EU languages. It currently covers air and rail transport and will be extended to bus / coach and marine travel in 2013 when these rights come into force. >>>

Hotelstars hotel rating system run by the Association of Hungarian Hotels and Restaurants (MSZÉSZ), became a national trade mark. The strategic agreement on the issue was signed on Tuesday by Szatmáry Kristóf, Secretary of State at the National Economy Ministry (NGM) and by Kopócsy Andrea, president of the association.

The Hotelstars.eu new trademark was given to the hotels by MSZÉSZ and NGM together. Szatmáry Kristóf told: an EU directive will require Hungary, that instead of the existing compulsory certification, to rate the accommodations with a national trademark.

According to Szatmáry Kristóf, the application of the Hotelstars is a significant step in the creation of a national trade mark system. It allows the hotels in Hungary to join to a European system that helps the development of tourism.  (MTI)

In the event of cancellation of a flight, passengers may claim, under certain conditions, compensation for non-material damage in addition to that awarded for material damage suffered. Further, a passenger may claim compensation for cancellation of a flight where his aeroplane took off but, for whatever reason, was subsequently forced to return to the airport of departure and that passenger was transferred to another flight.   >>>

According to the Head of Inspectorate for Consumer Protection of Government Office for Capital Budapest, the restaurants of Budapest are on European level. Bobál Pál on his press conference in Budapest spoke about the experiences of the checks that were carried out in the summer season, that were more favorable than in previous years. The authority inspected restaurants and taxis in the summer and they were present at the Sziget festival as well. A total of 137 restaurants were investigated and a 49 irregularities were identified, which is a significant decrease. – reports MTI.

Brussels, 7July 2011 - Holiday didn't go as planned? Flight cancelled? Lost luggage? Help is at hand. The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) offer citizens free advice about their rights when travelling and shopping across borders. They can also help them solve problems with traders in another EU country (plus Iceland and Norway) when things go wrong.  >>>

Increasing number of Europeans enjoy their holidays: 68% of EU citizens travelled for private reasons in 2010 compared to 65% in 2009. These findings of a new Eurobarometer survey on the attitudes of Europeans towards tourism confirm other indicators that tourism has recovered from economic crisis. Preference still inclines towards traditional tourist destinations (58%), while 28% would like to discover emerging destinations. European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani presented on 13th of May the Eurobarometer at the European Tourism Stakeholders Conference organised by the Hungarian Presidency and the European Commission in Budapest.  >>>

The leaflets, advertisements inviting people to trips combined with product presentations are disseminated endlessly. The more their quantity the more aggressive ways are used by certain traders to sell their goods.

In the Christmas season the authority activity also intensifies; on the one hand consumer safety and health shall be ensured through safety checks of products, on the other hand financial interests of consumers shall be protected, screening out deceptive and cheating practices.

Europe and Me: An expensive holiday  (download the presentation)

For more information please visit the following link: www.springday2010.net