Rosturizm presented the first version of the draft of the updated federal law on tourism for public discussion. Its main features noted specialists of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

Now, under the tourism product there will be a combination of any service and accommodation – for example, hotel accommodation with an excursion, SPA visit or transfer. Thus, unscrupulous companies can no longer sell tours without tickets to their destination and evade responsibility in the event of bankruptcy. In addition, the list of accommodation facilities has expanded to include campgrounds, modular hotels, guest houses, cruise ships and tourist transport.

In addition, Rosturizm wanted to create an image of a non-refundable tariff, which would make it possible to form a more affordable price range. Among other things, a new guaranteed tour operator is proposed. In addition, an alternative system to the fund will appear – escrow accounts.

“This is a special account where the bank freezes the tourist’s money. The tour operator gains access to these funds only after fulfilling its obligations to the client. With such a scheme, in case of unforeseen circumstances (inability to fulfill the returned obligations) money is paid to the escrow tourist. That is, the tourist will either be guaranteed to go to rest, because his service has been paid for by the receiving party, or the whole amount will be returned to his hands, ”the department explained.

Among other things, a barrier to enter the market will be established for tour operators, tourist routes are planned to be divided into three levels or categories, new concepts and definitions will appear in the legal field, and a new information system (GIS) will be created to account for all existing agreements of tourists, travel agencies and tour operators.

Earlier in December, Russian travel agents got into trouble with Rospotrebnadzor with a request to review the insurance of tourists who got drunk on vacation. As noted in the letter, the provision of insurance services is made dependent on the purchase of health insurance analyzes.