The Competition Council has sanctioned 13 travel agencies and the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT) with fines totaling nearly 2.5 million euros for anti-competitive agreements in the charter market.
The National Association of Travel Agencies, ANAT, issued a press release following the fine imposed by the Competition Council. ANAT stated that it cooperated with the authority throughout the investigation and assured tourists that they will not suffer as a result of the Council’s decision.
„The situation that led to the Competition Council’s investigation was caused by a series of specificities of the Romanian market, which is insufficiently consolidated and inadequately regulated. The intention of ANAT and its member agencies, throughout this period, was to protect tourists from unforeseen risks, as well as the inability to honor services under competitive market conditions or the impossibility of refunding the costs of unfulfilled services. It was a survival solution found by honest travel agencies that always had the consumers’ interest in mind as a reaction to the state’s failure to bring order to the market. We would have liked to have the state as a partner in this endeavor, through better-adapted legislation", said the head of ANAT, Nicolae Demetriade.
He further specified that ANAT will advocate for the improvement of the applicable regulatory framework, including the transposition of the European Directive on package travel and linked travel arrangements (EU Directive 2302/2015).
„Starting in 2019, the Association will begin a process of modernization and restructuring. We are confident that the result of implementing this plan will lead to a positive change in the Romanian tourism industry. We are also determined to take all steps to avoid similar situations in the future. In this sense, ANAT aims to become more open and transparent with consumers, so they can better understand the functioning of the Romanian market. Last but not least, we express our hope that, from now on, the state will act as a real partner to the industry so that we can work together to improve the legislative framework, which can only be to the benefit of customers”, stated Nicolae Demetriade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was ANAT fined by the Competition Council?
ANAT and 13 travel agencies were fined nearly 2.5 million euros for anti-competitive agreements related to the charter flight market.
Will tourists be affected by this decision?
ANAT has assured tourists that they will not suffer any negative consequences following the application of the Competition Council’s decision.
What are ANAT’s plans for the future?
ANAT plans to modernize, restructure, and advocate for better legislation, including the transposition of EU Directive 2302/2015, to ensure market transparency.