Thousands of trips and hotel nights for the Todos los Santos bridge, in the air on the DANA

What rights do I have as a consumer if I had a trip scheduled to the devastated area in the coming days? From the OCU they remind that consumers have the right to be transported to their destination as soon as possible, or to receive the amount of the ticket on both train and bus if their trip is cancelled. Something that Consumption also emphasizes, where they explain that the railway passenger has that right when a delay in arrival of more than 60 minutes or the cancellation of the journey is expected. In that case, according to the Bustinduy department, the traveler must be able to immediately choose between a refund of the full amount of the ticket or continuing the trip by an alternative route at a later date. If the train is blocked, Consumption points out that the railway company has to organize the transportation of passengers when possible. Both Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo are already contacting affected passengers to offer them alternatives.

Consumption recalls that in the face of a situation of the caliber that DANA has left, the affected travelers have the status of vulnerable consumers “so they enjoy special protection.” In this sense, canceled bus or coach journeys will also have to be refunded within 14 days or, failing that, companies must offer the traveler an alternative trip.

In the case of plane tickets, travelers may request a refund if their flight is cancelled. Passengers also have the right to information, assistance and alternative transportation if a refund is not required. Consumption insists that the offer of a voucher to replace the amount may not affect the traveler’s right to opt for a refund, if they prefer. The companies must return the money for the ticket within seven days.

In relation to trips by sea or other navigable routes, the department integrated into the Ministry of Social Rights explains that the shipping company that has canceled the trip must offer the traveler to choose between a travel alternative or a refund of the amount paid, which must be be carried out within a period of 7 days.

Right to reimbursement of accommodation

And what happens to hotel and other accommodation reservations if you decide not to travel? Under the circumstances described above, Asufin assures that affected travelers have the right to cancel the formalized reservation free of charge, “without any cost or penalty.” Furthermore, if previous payments have been incurred, the money should be recovered “at no cost.”

For the moment, most of the accommodations in the Valencian Community remain active and, especially, in its capital, whose hotel plant has hardly suffered any damage. The hotel association of the region, Hosbec, assures that right now all efforts are focused “on providing all solidarity and support to the situation that has occurred,” as explained by its general secretary, Mayte García, who has stressed that all establishments in the city of Valencia They are focused on readjusting their occupancy and their rooms “based on the demand that the city of Valencia itself is generating these days.”

Regarding the province of Castellonon which Dana hits today, García has assured that it has generated a “quite high” level of cancellations for the coming days. The only province in the Valencian Community that maintains normality is Alicante, where the volume of cancellations – according to Hosbec – is unimportant and in some points occupancy of up to 85% is expected during the long weekend.