Ministry of Tourism:Information for customers of Thomas Cook Germany - Netherlands - Belgium
Thomas Cook
27 Sep 2019
/ 08:09
ATHENS. The Ministry has published information for tourists following the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook subsidiaries in these countries.
The Minister for Tourism Haris Theoharis has published information for Thomas Cook customers from Germany, Netherlands and Belgium in Greece regarding their rights and how they are covered following the collapse of the subsidiaries.
The document was sent to all the Regional Tourism Departments, the Greek Hotel Chamber, the Hellenic Hoteliers' Association and the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).
"A. Thomas Cook Germany
We would like to inform you that on 25 September Thomas Cook GmbH filed for bankruptcy. According to the official statement from the German Travel Association (DRV), customers' accommodation and repatriation costs will be covered by Zurich Insurance Company as follows:
- Zurich will cover all suppliers' (except flights) costs for customers at their destinations with arrivals up to 23/9 (Hotels & Transport).
- Zurich will cover costs ONLY for Germany.
- Zurich will cover costs ONLY for holiday packages (NOT individual hotel reservations, flights or accommodation - bedbank).
- Zurich will cover costs ONLY for customers at their destination up to 4/10.
- After 4/10 costs will be covered only if it has not been possible to find a departure flight before that date.
- If suppliers have a Zurich insurance package, they can't apply for other financial cover from Thomas Cook.
FLIGHTS
The bankruptcy of Thomas Cook Group plc in London also had an impact on the business activities of the German travel companies Thomas Cook, Neckermann, Oeger Tours, Air Marin and Bucher Reisen. The above companies have informed Condor, as well as other airlines, that customers who have booked holiday packages with them may not be able to take outbound flights until 26/9.
Thomas Cook holiday package customers who are already at their destination will be able to take their booked return flight.
Customers should contact travel agencies or Thomas Cook directly.
Zurich Insurance Company has set up a customer service company called KAERA which has set up a hotline - 0049 6172-99761123.
Online information is also available here:
www.kaera-ag.de
[http://www.kaera-ag.de/geschaeftsfelder/abwicklungsstelle/insolvenzthomascook/ ]
B. Thomas Cook Netherlands
The Thomas Cook subsidiary in The Netherlands has also filed for bankruptcy and its insurance company will cover customers' accommodation and repatriation costs.
According to a letter from TUI Nederlands on 24/9, following the cessation of business at Thomas Cook Nederland B.V. and Neckermann (hereinafter referred to as Thomas Cook Nederland), the Dutch Guarantee Fund (SGR - www.sgr.nl) - and TUI Nederlands on its behalf - guarantees the payment for services that have been and are being provided to customers of Thomas Cook Nederland at hotels in Greece. Provision of services for Thomas Cook Nederland customers will continue in accordance with the original contract.
This guarantee doesn't cover any outstanding payments for customers who are no longer at hotels in Greece. These demands need to be submitted to Thomas Cook Nederland.
In its letter TUI Nederlands states that, because Thomas Cook Nederland customers need immediate support, payments covered by the guarantee can not be made immediately but will be made following the receipt of hotel invoices for services provided.
For further information hotels can contact TUI Nederlands at [email protected].
C. Thomas Cook Belgium
The Belgian Embassy informed the Ministry of Tourism that, following Thomas Cook Belgium and Neckermann Belgium filing for bankruptcy on 24/9, Belgian customers will be covered as follows:
The Belgian Travel Guarantee Fund (public insurance organisation for Thomas Cook insolvency) offically announced on 24/9 that for customers who have purchased a travel package (flight and accommodation) from Thomas Cook Belgium hotels will be paid for the period from the date of insolvency (24/9) to the date of departure. Payment will be made according to the contract already drawn up with Thomas Cook Belgium."
The document was sent to all the Regional Tourism Departments, the Greek Hotel Chamber, the Hellenic Hoteliers' Association and the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).
"A. Thomas Cook Germany
We would like to inform you that on 25 September Thomas Cook GmbH filed for bankruptcy. According to the official statement from the German Travel Association (DRV), customers' accommodation and repatriation costs will be covered by Zurich Insurance Company as follows:
- Zurich will cover all suppliers' (except flights) costs for customers at their destinations with arrivals up to 23/9 (Hotels & Transport).
- Zurich will cover costs ONLY for Germany.
- Zurich will cover costs ONLY for holiday packages (NOT individual hotel reservations, flights or accommodation - bedbank).
- Zurich will cover costs ONLY for customers at their destination up to 4/10.
- After 4/10 costs will be covered only if it has not been possible to find a departure flight before that date.
- If suppliers have a Zurich insurance package, they can't apply for other financial cover from Thomas Cook.
FLIGHTS
The bankruptcy of Thomas Cook Group plc in London also had an impact on the business activities of the German travel companies Thomas Cook, Neckermann, Oeger Tours, Air Marin and Bucher Reisen. The above companies have informed Condor, as well as other airlines, that customers who have booked holiday packages with them may not be able to take outbound flights until 26/9.
Thomas Cook holiday package customers who are already at their destination will be able to take their booked return flight.
Customers should contact travel agencies or Thomas Cook directly.
Zurich Insurance Company has set up a customer service company called KAERA which has set up a hotline - 0049 6172-99761123.
Online information is also available here:
www.kaera-ag.de
[http://www.kaera-ag.de/geschaeftsfelder/abwicklungsstelle/insolvenzthomascook/ ]
B. Thomas Cook Netherlands
The Thomas Cook subsidiary in The Netherlands has also filed for bankruptcy and its insurance company will cover customers' accommodation and repatriation costs.
According to a letter from TUI Nederlands on 24/9, following the cessation of business at Thomas Cook Nederland B.V. and Neckermann (hereinafter referred to as Thomas Cook Nederland), the Dutch Guarantee Fund (SGR - www.sgr.nl) - and TUI Nederlands on its behalf - guarantees the payment for services that have been and are being provided to customers of Thomas Cook Nederland at hotels in Greece. Provision of services for Thomas Cook Nederland customers will continue in accordance with the original contract.
This guarantee doesn't cover any outstanding payments for customers who are no longer at hotels in Greece. These demands need to be submitted to Thomas Cook Nederland.
In its letter TUI Nederlands states that, because Thomas Cook Nederland customers need immediate support, payments covered by the guarantee can not be made immediately but will be made following the receipt of hotel invoices for services provided.
For further information hotels can contact TUI Nederlands at [email protected].
C. Thomas Cook Belgium
The Belgian Embassy informed the Ministry of Tourism that, following Thomas Cook Belgium and Neckermann Belgium filing for bankruptcy on 24/9, Belgian customers will be covered as follows:
The Belgian Travel Guarantee Fund (public insurance organisation for Thomas Cook insolvency) offically announced on 24/9 that for customers who have purchased a travel package (flight and accommodation) from Thomas Cook Belgium hotels will be paid for the period from the date of insolvency (24/9) to the date of departure. Payment will be made according to the contract already drawn up with Thomas Cook Belgium."
