The raging forest fires in southern Europe are currently keeping locals and holidaymakers in suspense. It is possible to cancel a package tour provided that it is close in time and space.

Anyone who is about to travel to the affected areas should know: “If, due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, the implementation of the package tour or transport to the holiday destination is significantly impaired or even impossible, a free cancellation is possible. This can be the case with natural disasters, such as fires - regardless of whether there is a travel warning from the Foreign Ministry," explains ÖAMTC lawyer Verena Pronebner.

However, free cancellation is only possible if the start of the holiday and the dangerous situation are close together and the planned trip leads to the affected region. "For example, if the vacation doesn't start for two weeks, you have to wait and find out about the current situation at short notice," explains the expert. However, if the holiday is imminent, package travelers should contact the travel company and look for alternatives together.

“Even the individual, e.g. The health situation of the traveller, for example, is important in this context: If the extraordinary and extreme heat poses a health risk, a free cancellation can also be possible with a package tour,” says Pronebner. Individual travelers can only cancel their separately booked flight free of charge if the airport area is affected or landing is not possible. Whether a cancellation of the individually booked accommodation is possible depends on the law of the respective country.

Natural disaster while on vacation - what should be considered?

"If the danger of a natural disaster only occurs at the holiday destination and the trip has to be broken off early, the organizer of a package tour has to organize and pay for the return transport," says Pronebner. "A price reduction and thus a refund of part of the travel expenses is then possible." In the case of individual trips, it is advisable to consult the travel insurance company to determine whether the free cancellation of the trip is covered.

Whether package or individual trip: If a spontaneous return trip is not possible due to the airport being closed and you are stuck in the holiday country, the airlines or the travel company must take over support services. The airlines then provide for the cost of meals and possibly a hotel stay, for example. Package tour operators usually have to pay the costs on site for a maximum of three nights. In such a situation, Pronebner recommends contacting the airline or tour operator directly at short notice.