As a travel agency, we always strive for the highest standards of safety and reliability for our travelers. An essential part of this is our membership with the Stichting Garantiefonds voor Gespecialiseerde Touroperators (GGTO) (Foundation Guarantee Fund for Specialized Tour Operators) (GGTO) in THe Netherlands. We explain below what the GGTO is for you as a traveler.
What is the GGTO?
The GGTO, or the Foundation Guarantee Fund for Specialized Tour Operators, is an organization established to protect travelers against financial loss if a travel organization goes bankrupt. The GGTO safeguards the interests of travelers through financial guarantees.
Requirements and Conditions for European Travel Agencies
To become a member of the GGTO, travel agencies must meet strict requirements and conditions. These include:
1. Financial Security: Travel agencies must demonstrate that they are financially sound and able to provide any refunds to travelers in the event of bankruptcy.
2. Transparency: Transparency is essential. Travel agencies must be transparent about their financial status and operating procedures.
3. Legal Compliance: Travel agencies must comply with all relevant travel and tourism laws and regulations, both national and international.
Membership of a guarantee fund is mandatory for European travel agencies. In our case, this is the GGTO guarantee fund. We pay an annual contribution to support the fund. This contribution can be used to compensate travelers in case of problems.
Benefits for Travelers
Membership of the GGTO offers significant benefits for travelers:
1. Financial Protection: In the unfortunate event of the travel agency going bankrupt, the GGTO ensures that travelers get their money back or can continue their trip at no additional cost.
2. Peace of Mind: By booking with a GGTO member travel agent, travelers can travel with confidence, knowing their investment is protected.
3. Reliability: Membership of the GGTO indicates the reliability and integrity of the travel agency. It shows that the agency meets strict standards and is committed to customer satisfaction.
4. Professional Support: In case of disputes or problems during the trip, travelers can count on the professional support of the GGTO to represent their interests.
In short, membership of the GGTO is a valuable addition to European travel agencies and provides travelers with essential peace of mind and protection. At Travel Magical Morocco we are proud to be a member of the GGTO and continually strive to maintain the highest standards of quality and safety for all our travelers.
Membership of a Guarantee Fund is not the only thing we have to adhere to as a travel agency. There are – at European level – even more rules that we have to deal with.
European guidelines
As a respected travel agency, it is vital to comply not only with the requirements of local authorities but also with European rules and regulations that apply to the travel industry. Below is an overview of some important European regulations that travel agencies must adhere to:
1. Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Directive (2015/2302/EU)
This directive sets the rules for travel agencies selling package holidays, as well as for linked travel arrangements.
Some key points of this guideline are:
– Information obligation: Travel agencies must provide travelers with clear and understandable information about the package tour, including the total price, the main features of the trip and the payment terms.
– Liability: Travel agencies are liable for the correct performance of all services included in the package, even if they are performed by third parties.
– Right to cancellation: Travelers have the right to cancel a package holiday free of charge under certain circumstances, such as force majeure situations.
2. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The GDPR lays down strict rules regarding the processing and protection of personal data. Some important aspects of this are:
– Consent: Travel agencies must obtain explicit consent from travelers before processing personal data for specific purposes, such as booking a trip.
– Data security: Travel agencies must take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against loss, misuse, theft, or unauthorized access.
– Right of Inspection and Correction: Travelers have the right to view, correct, or delete their personal data if it is incorrect or no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
3. Regulation on Flight Delay Compensation (261/2004/EC)
This regulation establishes rules for compensation to travelers in the event of delays, cancellations or denied boarding of flights within the EU. Some important provisions are:
– Compensation: Travelers are entitled to compensation, depending on the duration of the delay and the flight distance.
– Assistance: Travelers are entitled to care, such as meals, accommodation, and communication facilities, during long delays.
– Information obligation: Airlines and travel agencies must inform travelers about their rights and the procedures for submitting a compensation request.
By strictly adhering to these European rules and regulations, travel agencies can provide a reliable and transparent service to their customers, while at the same time protecting the interests and rights of travelers. At Travel Magical Morocco we are committed to complying with all these rules so that our travelers can enjoy their travel experiences with complete confidence.