Consumer Whose Package Tour Was Canceled Recovers Unfairly Charged Fee Difference
A citizen who was directed to an alternative tour after the package tour she purchased was canceled by the company got back the 34,825 liras of extra fee she paid, following an arbitration committee decision.
Şerife Erdoğdu, living in the Kocasinan district, legally recovered the 34,825 liras of extra fee she had to pay for an alternative tour she was directed to after her package tour was canceled by the travel agency, through the decision of the Kocasinan District Consumer Arbitration Committee.
Cancellation of the Package Tour
Şerife Erdoğdu made a reservation on January 31 through a travel agency for a tour program covering the Aegean Region with her family. Shortly before the trip was scheduled to begin, the package tour was canceled by the company, and the 65,175 liras she had paid was refunded.
Alternative Tour and Fee Difference
Directed to the alternative tour offered by the company, Erdoğdu participated in another tour worth 100,000 liras by paying an extra 34,825 liras. Company officials claimed they would be in financial trouble if this fee was not collected.
Application Process to the Arbitration Committee
Learning that the difference she paid was contrary to consumer legislation, the consumer received information from the consumer consultancy hotline and consulted her lawyer friend. After returning from her vacation, Erdoğdu gathered her documents and filed a complaint via e-Government.
Arbitration Committee Decision
The Kocasinan District Consumer Arbitration Committee determined that the cancellation of the tour did not stem from the consumer and that the price difference collected by the agency violated the legislation. The committee unanimously decided to refund the 34,825 liras to the consumer.
Evaluation by the Consumers' Association
Mahmut Şahin, Chairman of the Consumers' Association, stated that there are provisions in package tour contracts aimed at protecting consumers. Şahin emphasized that consumers should not give up on seeking their rights on the grounds that the amount of unfairness is small.