Finally vacation - with the relaxation of the Corona restrictions, bookings are increasing.

But the pre-crisis level will probably remain as far away as exotic travel destinations in the summer of 2021.

Not only that causes discussions in the travel world.

In addition, there is a correction in travel law, which should apply from July 1st.

The law for this is not yet ready.

It's about securing customer payments if their tour operator goes bankrupt.

Timo Kotowski

Editor in business.

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    The reform became inevitable with the end of Thomas Cook, when German customers couldn't get their money back without any problems.

    That was more than a year and a half ago.

    This contradicted the requirements of EU law then as now.

    The federal government stepped in as a precaution, also to avoid state liability claims.

    The last person affected still does not have all of their legally guaranteed money back.

    A system change in the protection system should prevent something like this from happening again.

    One thing is certain: the new coverage will be more expensive for companies weakened by the pandemic, from the market leader TUI to small specialist providers.

    The German Travel Association (DRV) has already warned "a sense of proportion" so that new burdens and fees do not result in insolvencies directly after the Corona crisis.

    And apparently parts of the association have been heard.

    Corrections should limit additional costs

    According to a revised draft from the Federal Ministry of Justice, which is available to the FAZ, the coalition wants to reduce the additional cost burden for travel companies.

    Nothing has been decided five weeks before the planned entry into force.

    At the same time, however, the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZBV) urges.

    He wants to prevent travel companies from having too much of a say in the future when it comes to protecting customer money.

    The details of the German customer money protection are unknown to most holidaymakers; for a long time they were satisfied with getting a security certificate with the booking.

    Security only became a major issue when the system's weaknesses became apparent to all those affected when Thomas Cook ended.

    A travel insurance fund should in future prevent vacationers from having to worry about money if their package tour provider collapses.

    Fund with 750 million euros

    By autumn 2027, the fund is to be filled with 750 million euros through contributions from companies.

    That should be enough to reimburse payments in the event of bankruptcy and to bring stranded holidaymakers home.

    So far, private insurers have been allowed to cap their liability to 110 million euros.

    In the case of Thomas Cook, that was not enough.

    As broad as the general approval of the travel industry and consumer advocates for the fund is, the criticism in detail is as numerous.

    The start in summer 2021 in particular is considered to be full of hurdles.

    Because the planned 750 million euros will not be in the new fund in the build-up phase, which will only come together over the next few years.

    The state temporarily steps in with commitments, but requires security from the travel providers.

    Companies should provide smaller security

    So far, it has been controversial how high they should be. It is now becoming apparent that Berlin is listening to the concerns of the industry. Tourism professionals came across the fact that they should deposit securities for 7 percent of their annual turnover. Measured against the pre-crisis year 2019, that would be more than two billion euros. In the worst case, the insurance costs would quadruple compared to the old insurance solution. The DRV had named 5 percent as the highest post-pandemic limitable rate so as not to provoke bankruptcies.