The The Plenum of the House of Representatives unanimously amended the Law on Tourism and Travel Agencies and Tourist Guides with the aim of reducing bureaucratic procedures and providing greater flexibility to these tourism businesses.
The new law simplifies the control and licensing procedures for tourism and travel agencies and tour operators, increases the period of validity of the license of tourism and travel agencies and tour guides, expands the grounds for revoking their license and addresses problems related to the provision of tourism services.
The law provides, inter alia, for the possibility for a licensed tourism and travel agency to merge with companies providing complementary or related activities, including travel insurance services, foreign exchange services, shipping services, car rental and transport services.
It also provides for simplification of the inspection and licensing procedures for tourism and travel agencies and tour guides and an increase in the period of validity of the license of tourism and travel agencies and tour guides from three to
It is also envisaged to amend the provision concerning the deposit of a security of fifteen thousand euros for the purpose of granting and renewing the licence of a tourist and travel agency, so that instead of this security, an insurance cover of an equivalent amount may be provided by an insurance company approved by the Superintendent of Insurance, which shall be valid throughout the duration of the licence of the agency in question.
Provisions are also introduced to address the offence of operating a tourism and travel agency without an operating licence and the possibility of imposing administrative penalties on persons who breach the provisions of the relevant legislation.
Provisions are also introduced to deal effectively with offences arising from the provision of tourism and travel agency services via the internet.
DISY MP Kyriakos Hatzigiannis said that with this law the bureaucratic procedures have been stamped out and the law is passed before the start of the new tourist season, so that these businesses are ready to create what the local economy needs. At the same time, he said that there is a need now, especially because of the international situation, for some people to run to create tourism, to bring tourism, adding that the mentality of already running to the state to secure financial assistance is highly unacceptable. He said that all tourism stakeholders have a role to play and must work hard to fill the gaps and weaknesses due to the international situation and over-dependence on certain markets.
AKEL MP Aristos Damianou said that regarding the management of the crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the position of the DISY MP does not reflect the concerns of society. He said in the midst of a crisis due to pandemic and war, we cannot close our eyes and the government must take narrow measures where they are needed such as in tourism, energy and grain.
PPP MP Michael Yakoumi said that for the party, the modernization of legislation is a key priority, noting that this will enable tourism operators to work more flexibly and effectively to deal with a complicated and complex situation that will bring about consequences.
The MP of the Ecologist Movement - Citizens' Co-operation Stavros Papadouris welcomed the simplification of procedures and the flexibility given, expressing the hope that "we will be flexible" and because of the Russian-Ukrainian, in order to save what is saved.
Source: CNA
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