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Dozens of Russian tourists eligible for compensation over travel operator suspended activity

According to Lomidze, five tourists have paid twice for their Belarusian vacations. The insurer will repay their expenses
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, June 30 (Itar-Tass) - Several dozens of Russian tourists might have sustained losses after the suspension of activity of the Blue Bird travel operator. These people might count on compensation, Maya Lomidze, the executive director of the Russian Association of Travel Operators, told Itar-Tass on Sunday.

“At a rough estimate, the number of tourists who have bought tours to Belarus from this company but are unable to leave stands at several dozens. All of them will be paid compensation. The operator has not yet furnished information about the exact number of tourists eligible for compensation,” she said.

According to Lomidze, five tourists have paid twice for their Belarusian vacations. The insurer will repay their expenses.

The Blue Bird travel operator suspended its activity late on Friday over financial strains.

The company’s representatives are receiving claims from tourists whose vacationing plans have wrecked, according to press secretary of the Russian Tourism Agency Irina Shchegolkova.

Blue Bird holds a Master Garant insurance to a sum of 30 million rubles. The policy term is from November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013. The insurer must pay insurance money to tourists under the travel operator’s liability insurance within 30 days after the receipt of the claim. The amount of the compensation for moral injury is established by court and does not depend on the amount on property damage compensation.