The European Commissioner responsible for consumer protection, Meglena Kuneva, will open the 97th bi-annual meeting of ECTAA, the European Association of Travel and Tourism Agents, which represents 29 Members from EU countries, such as FATTA, the Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents in Malta.

The meeting will be held in Sofia Bulgaria on 27-28 May. Mrs Kuneva will present her views on the upcoming revision of EU consumer protection legislation.

Over the last 20 years, various European Directives on consumer protection, usually referred to as the EU consumer acquis, have granted specific rights to consumers concerning among others distance selling, doorstep selling, unfair contract terms, timeshare and package travel.

The Package Travel Directive, which is part of the EU acquis, is of major importance for the members of ECTAA and their customers.

The directive aims at protecting consumers who purchase travel packages by ensuring that they get proper information before and after their purchase.