General terms and conditions of sale for tourist packages

  1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

    The sale of tourist packages for services provided in both national and international territories is governed, until its repeal pursuant to Article 3 of Legislative Decree No. 79 of May 23, 2011 ("Tourism Code"), by Law 27/12/1977 No. 1084, ratifying the International Convention on Travel Contracts (CCV), signed in Brussels on April 23, 1970, as applicable, as well as by the Tourism Code (Articles 32-51) and its subsequent amendments.

  2. ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS

    The tour package organizer and intermediary that the tourist contacts must be authorized to conduct their respective activities according to the applicable administrative regulations, including regional requirements. Under Article 18, paragraph VI, of the Tourism Code, the use of terms like "travel agency," "tour agency," "tour operator," "travel intermediary," or other similar terms, even in foreign languages, is allowed solely for authorized businesses as specified in the first paragraph.

  3. DEFINITIONS

    For the purposes of this contract:

    • Travel organizer: the entity responsible for providing third parties with tourist packages in its own name and for a lump-sum fee, by creating a combination of elements described in Article 4 or offering the tourist, including via remote communication systems, the possibility to autonomously arrange and purchase such a combination.
    • Intermediary: the entity that, even without a professional capacity or profit motive, sells or undertakes to provide tourist packages created as per Article 4 for a lump-sum fee.
    • Tourist: the buyer, assignee of a tourist package, or any individual meeting all conditions for service utilization on behalf of whom the main contractor commits to purchasing a tourist package without remuneration.
  4. DEFINITION OF TOURIST PACKAGE

    Tourist packages include travel, holidays, all-inclusive tours, and tourist cruises resulting from the combination, by any means, of at least two of the following elements, offered for sale at a single price:

    • a) transportation;
    • b) accommodation;
    • c) non-ancillary tourist services for transportation or accommodation per Article 36 that meet recreational needs and form a significant part of the "tourist package" (Art. 34 of the Tourism Code).

    Tourists are entitled to a copy of the tourist package contract (prepared in compliance with Article 35 of the Tourism Code). The contract serves as proof for access to the Guarantee Fund in Article 21.

  5. INFORMATION TO THE TOURIST – TECHNICAL SHEET

    The organizer provides a technical sheet in the catalog or off-catalog program – including on electronic or telematic media. The technical sheet must include:

    • the details of the administrative authorization, or, if applicable, the organizer’s D.I.A. or S.C.I.A.;
    • the details of the civil liability insurance policy;
    • the catalog or off-catalog program’s validity period;
    • conditions for traveler replacement (Art. 39 of the Tourism Code);
    • price adjustment parameters and criteria (Art. 40 of the Tourism Code).

    Additional specific conditions may also be included in the technical sheet.

  6. BOOKINGS

    Booking requests must be submitted on an appropriate contractual form, possibly electronic, completed in full and signed by the client, who will receive a copy. Booking acceptance and contract conclusion occur once the organizer sends confirmation, including by telematic means, to the tourist through the intermediary travel agency.

  7. PAYMENTS

    The deposit amount, up to a maximum of 40% of the package price, due upon booking or binding request, and the balance payment date before departure, are specified in the catalog, brochure, or similar documents.

  8. PRICE

    The package price is defined in the contract and may be adjusted up to 20 days before departure due to:

    • transportation costs, including fuel costs;
    • taxes on specific tourist services, such as landing, embarkation, and disembarkation fees at airports and ports;
    • currency exchange rates applied to the package in question.
  9. PACKAGE MODIFICATION OR CANCELLATION BEFORE DEPARTURE

    If the organizer or intermediary needs to significantly modify one or more contract elements before departure, they must promptly notify the tourist in writing, indicating the modification type and resulting price variation.

  10. TOURIST WITHDRAWAL

    The tourist may withdraw from the contract without penalties if:

    • the package price increase exceeds 10%;
    • a significant modification of one or more contract elements, deemed essential for the package’s overall enjoyment, is proposed by the organizer post-contract but before departure and is not accepted by the tourist.
  11. MODIFICATIONS AFTER DEPARTURE

    If, after departure, the organizer is unable to provide a significant portion of the contracted services, they must offer suitable alternatives without additional costs.

  12. SUBSTITUTIONS

    The withdrawing tourist may substitute themselves with another individual, provided that:

    • the organizer is notified in writing at least 4 business days before departure, along with the substitute’s details and reasons for substitution.
  13. TOURIST OBLIGATIONS

    Italian citizens are informed in writing, during negotiations and before contract conclusion, about general requirements (updated at catalog print date) concerning health and travel documents.

  14. HOTEL CLASSIFICATION

    Hotel ratings are provided based on formal indications from the competent authorities of the country where the service is offered.

  15. LIABILITY REGIME

    The organizer is liable for damages to the tourist due to total or partial failure to provide the contracted services, except where these result from the tourist’s actions or unforeseen and unavoidable acts by third parties.

  16. COMPENSATION LIMITS

    Compensation and related prescription periods are governed by Articles 44, 45, and 47 of the Tourism Code, the CCV, and international conventions governing the services in the tourist package.

  17. ASSISTANCE OBLIGATIONS

    The organizer must assist tourists according to professional diligence for legally or contractually required obligations.

  18. CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS

    Any contract execution issues must be immediately reported during the package to allow prompt resolution. Complaints must also be submitted via registered mail or equivalent proof within ten business days of return.

  19. INSURANCE FOR CANCELLATION AND REPATRIATION COSTS

    It is possible and advisable to take out special insurance policies against package cancellation costs, injuries, and baggage-related events at the time of booking.

  20. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

    Under Article 67 of the Tourism Code, the organizer may propose alternative dispute resolution methods in the catalog, on their website, or in other forms.

  21. GUARANTEE FUND (Art. 51 of the Tourism Code)

    The National Guarantee Fund, established for tourists with a contract, provides:

    • refunds in case of insolvency or bankruptcy of intermediaries or organizers;
    • return of tourists from non-EU countries in emergencies due to force majeure.