Russian tourists again became hostages of the problems of the tour operator
Fifty-four tourists from Ideal World cannot leave Israel.
According to RIA Novosti with reference to the press service of Rostourism, 38 tourists of the Ideal World tour operator should fly by Aeroflot airline, another 16 by Transaero airline.
Rostourism has already appealed to Rosaviatsiya with a request to provide assistance, the source notes.
Recall that on Friday, the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship recommended the adoption of an amendment to the bill “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On the Basics of Tourist Activity in the Russian Federation” and certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation” for consideration by the lower house of parliament in the second reading, scheduled for April 24.
According to Valery Ryazansky, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy, the problems of safety and insurance of Russian tourists vacationing abroad require the development of the most optimal mechanism for protecting our citizens:
This bill has important social significance, especially in light of the scandals related to the force majeure bankruptcy of a number of major Russian tour operators. Now the authorities are concerned about creating new security mechanisms for Russian tourists abroad.
Senators, members of the working group of the Federation Council on legislative proposals in the field of social responsibility of tourism business, took part in the work on amendments to the second reading of the bill. The lawmakers propose to unite tour operators engaged in sending Russian tourists abroad to participate in the activities of the so-called “compensation fund”, which will allocate funds for the return of tourists to Russia and payment of the arrears of the tour operator in the event of its unexpected bankruptcy.
The creation of this fund will eliminate situations in which Russians are evicted from hotels or not sent home because of the problems of Russian travel companies. In addition, the association of leading tour operators will enable the state to quickly find ways to resolve force majeure and more effectively control the tourism sector, the senator said.
Source: "State news" (23.04.2012)