14.05.2025 10:41
The Ministry of Trade has outlined the important points that consumers should pay attention to in order to avoid any issues when making holiday reservations. Information was provided regarding the investigations initiated against companies and the administrative fines imposed.
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The Ministry of Trade has warned consumers who will make reservations for holiday purposes about the issues they should pay attention to in order to avoid grievances. In a statement from the ministry, it was noted that with the approach of the summer months and the Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice), various travel agencies are conducting advertising and promotional activities for package tours and hotel accommodations. It was reported in the statement that as a result of the investigations carried out by the ministry regarding these promotions and complaints from consumers, 7 investigation reports prepared for 9 companies have been referred to the public prosecutors' offices since 2023, and approximately 16 million lira in administrative fines have been imposed as a result of inspection activities concerning 21 companies, while the inspection process for 19 companies is still ongoing.
"PAY ATTENTION TO LOGOS AND SIGNS"
In the statement, it was emphasized that consumers should act carefully to prevent grievances when making reservations for holidays, and the following warnings were made: The accuracy of the facility images, corporate logos, and signs included in offers received through communication channels such as social media, text messages, or emails should be questioned. Before making a purchase decision, it should be investigated whether the preferred travel agency or tourism facility is registered with the relevant public institutions and organizations. In this context, consumers can check the information about travel agencies and tourism facilities at www.kulturturizm.gov.tr and www.tursab.org.tr. In contracts signed at a distance, it is beneficial to check whether the address, title, and contact information of the travel agency or tourism facility are provided on their websites and whether these websites are registered in the electronic commerce information system, and it is advisable to prefer purchasing through the travel agency's own website instead of social media. A brochure or information form regarding the purchased package tour or accommodation contract must be provided to the consumer.
RIGHT TO CANCEL PACKAGE TOUR
The statement noted that consumers may not be able to participate in the package tours they have planned due to various issues arising in the normal course of life, and the following evaluations were made: In such cases, consumers have the right to cancel the package tour contract. The consumer has the right to cancel the package tour contract by notifying in writing or through a permanent data storage device at least 30 days before the start of the package tour and to receive a refund of the package tour price without any deductions, except for legal obligations such as mandatory taxes. If the cancellation notice is made less than 30 days before the start of the package tour, a certain amount or percentage may be deducted, provided that it is specified in the package tour contract.
TRAVEL AGENCIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSUMERS' DAMAGES
The statement indicated that, except for the provisions related to mandatory insurance in the Travel Agencies and Travel Agencies Union Law, the package tour organizer is responsible for any damages incurred by the consumer due to the non-fulfillment or improper fulfillment of the contract. It was emphasized that the consumer can also claim appropriate compensation for wasted holiday time, and it was stated that "Additionally, the optional insurance practice offered by various travel agencies that allows consumers to cancel package tours or hotel accommodation reservations without paying a penalty is considered beneficial for our consumers."
WHERE SHOULD CONSUMERS APPLY?
The statement reminded that consumer arbitration committees and consumer courts are authorized to resolve individual consumer disputes, and the following was recorded: Consumers can apply to the consumer arbitration committee for disputes valued below 149 thousand lira for the year 2025 in cases where they are aggrieved due to the practices of companies and defective or incomplete performance of the contract, and to the consumer court for disputes above this amount. As a prerequisite for filing a lawsuit in consumer courts, it is necessary to apply to a mediator before filing a lawsuit.
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