Polish President Karol Nawrocki on 24 July signed five parliamentary acts, including an amendment to the 2017 Act on Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements. The new law introduces voluntary vouchers that travel agencies can issue when a package is disrupted by extraordinary events, replacing the mandatory credit-note system criticised during the pandemic. Under the revised rules, a voucher’s value cannot be lower than the sum already paid by the customer, and if it is not redeemed the travel company must refund the amount in cash before the voucher’s 18-month expiry date. The legislation also clarifies the liability of organisers for flight delays and strengthens the insolvency guarantee fund, offering additional security to corporate travel managers. Industry associations welcomed the flexible mechanism, arguing it balances consumer rights with the liquidity needs of small tour operators. They urged the Ministry of Sport and Tourism to issue swift secondary regulations so agencies can update terms and conditions before the peak winter-holiday booking window. For multinational companies with staff on incentive trips or training tours in Poland, the amendment reduces financial exposure if geopolitical or health shocks force cancellations. Travel departments should update contract templates to reference the new voucher option and reassess supplier insolvency coverage thresholds.
