Travel Agencies in St. Petersburg, disappeared with the money clients

In St. Petersburg over the past few weeks, ceased operations three travel companies. In early August, along with the money of tourists disappeared guide travel agency "August", which existed for 12 years on the market, and within a few days, customers of "Hellas-round" looking for their money and stay. And the other day, collecting money from tourists, travel agency closed the Smart tour. " Total in St. Petersburg recently suffered a few hundred people who paid for the next trip from 30 to 100 thousand rubles. In the Baltic Association of protection of human visitors approached, not all the victims, many do not even hope to recover their money. As reported RATA-News, the disappearance of travel agencies is always going to the same scheme - the first customers pay vouchers, then the date of tour was postponed several times, but in the end - office closed and the leadership no one can find. Experts see the problem in the imperfection of tourism legislation. So, a spokesman for the Russian Union of Travel Industry Irina Tyurina said: "financial guarantees required by law only to travel agents. Regulation is necessary and the agency market, because it is the tourists to travel agents make a full prepayment for their trips." According to Tyurina, St. Petersburg should enjoy the right of legislative initiative, which is in all regions, and prepare the necessary amendments to the Law "About bases of tourist activity." Recall financial security for tour operators, revenues do not exceed 100 million rubles a year and who apply the simplified taxation system is 30 million rubles. Fingarantii tour operators, the revenue does not exceed 300 million rubles a year, estimated at 60 million rubles. And finally, the financial responsibility of tour operators, whose revenue exceeds 300 million rubles a year, is set at 100 million rubles. At the same time, the founders of the travel agencies are only civilly liable for the debts of their firms in the amount of authorized capital, and is only 10 thousand rubles. Such a gap in the law coupled with the lack of state control of the travel agents and allows the fraudsters to cheat tourists.