From April 15, air traffic between Russia and Turkey has been suspended. From the same date, the tourists were unable to fly to Turkey, even if they had purchased vouchers in advance. The official reason for the closure of countries is the coronavirus.
The Consumer Rights Protection Department of the Rospotrebnadzor Administration for the Saratov Region explains what to do for those who have already paid tours to the closed country in their hands. So, the lawyers of Rospotrebnadzor indicate that for Saratov residents who have already purchased vouchers to Turkey and Tanzania, there are rules on tourist activities that are permissible and do not contradict Russian legislation.
For example, residents of Saratov can change the direction to another without changing the terms of the paid tour. Or reschedule your trip by choosing another destination. Rospotrebnadzor also informs about “other decisions that maximally take into account the mutual interests of both parties.”
It is clear that it is in the interests of tour operators not to return money to citizens for already paid tours, but to put them on a deposit and hope for the opening of new countries. But Rospotrebnadzor believes that this is illegal: “A tourist has the right to apply at the place of purchase of services for a refund in accordance with the civil legislation of the Russian Federation and the legislation of the Russian Federation on consumer protection,” the consumer protection department reports.
It also points out that “to all consumers affected by the described events, the Rospotrebnadzor Administration for the Saratov Region is ready to provide advice and practical assistance and support in the litigation, if the Rospotrebnadzor Administration for the Saratov Region receives an expression of the will of specific consumers for protection, or restoration of violated rights in court ”.