Background information

On 21 April 2020, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania adopted Law No. XIII-2862 amending Articles 2 and 15 of and adding Article 17-1 to the Law on Tourism of the Republic of Lithuania (Law No. VIII-667).

The amendments provide for special coupons to be issued to passengers who were prevented from taking trips they had paid for due to the introduction of quarantine measures. The coupons entitle to taking a trip at a later time. This is aimed at protecting tourism businesses from bankruptcies and insolvencies and retaining jobs.

Content of measure

The new provisions provide for the possibility for tour operators experiencing difficulties as a result of emergencies to offer tourists an alternative, i.e. coupons, the value of which must be at least equal to the amount of money paid for the tour that did not take place. The coupon can be used to pay for a future trip or part of a trip that starts no later than 12 months after the restrictions cease to apply. The terms and conditions of the coupons will be defined in the Law on Tourism. A future coupon tour will be subject to the same conditions ensuring the tour operator's obligations as if the tourist had paid for the future trip at his own expense. If the tourist does not use the coupon within 12 months, the tour operator will be obliged to return the money paid by the tourist within 14 days from the expiry of the coupon.

If the person does not agree to accept the coupon, the money for the missed tour should be returned to him/her no later than within 14 days from the date of termination of the arranged tour contract.

Use of measure

According to the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, there is no information on the number of persons who agreed to take tourism coupons from 24 April 2020 after their tours had been cancelled.

The State Consumer Rights Protection Authority (VVTAT) collects data on unused tourism coupons only. According to the data of this authority, there were 9,000 unused coupons issued to tourists for €2.9 million in 3Q 2021.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social partners jointly Company / Companies	Companies

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level

Involvement

Social partners were consulted only ad hoc, The tripartite meeting was not held. The Lithuanian Tourism Association was the most active when designing this measure. The Association asked the Seimas to adopt the changes to the Law on Tourism that would allow tour operators to return money to tourists for missed tours within six months (instead of currently applied 14-day deadline). However, after long discussions their proposal was rejected (President vetoed the amendments to the Law).

Views and reactions

Social partners supported the idea of tourism coupons. However, they were willing to extend the period of time during which tour operators could return money to tourists for missed tours (from 14 days to 6 months).

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 21 April 2020: Law No XIII-2862 amending Articles 2 and 15 of and adding Article 17-1 to the Law on Tourism of the Republic of Lithuania (LR turizmo įstatymo Nr. VIII-667 2, 15 straipsnių pakeitimo ir Įstatymo papildymo 17-1 straipsniu įstatymas) (www.e-tar.lt)
• 24 January 2021: Tourism coupons for €2.9 million not yet used (Keliautojai dar nepanaudojo 2,9 mln. Eur vertės kelionių kuponų (www.vz.lt)