WRITTEN QUESTION E-0447/02 by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission. Price disparity in the holiday market.
Date: 2002-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU control, holiday, leisure park, price disparity, restriction on competition, tourist profession, travel agency

C 28 E/28

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

This being the case, the Commission intends to make contact with the Spanish authorities in order to
check that any aid granted to Babcock Borsig conforms to the Community rules applicable.

(2003/C 28 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0447/02

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Price disparity in the holiday market

Currently some holiday companies with booking facilities in other Member States (e.g. CenterParcs) will
only allow customers to book in the country they are currently in. This can result in the customer paying
more for his/her holiday. Could the Commission comment as to whether this contravenes competition
policy?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2002)

The Honourable Member asks the Commission whether the fact that some holiday companies, e.g. Centre
Parcs, prevent their customers from booking their holidays from a Member State other than that in which
they reside infringes the competition rules. The practice is said to result in consumers being unable to
book from the Member State in which the terms are the most favourable.

In this case, the competition rules, and more specifically Article 81(1) of the EC Treaty, could apply only if
the prohibition in question stemmed from or was contained in an agreement for the distribution of the
services concerned, such as an agreement between a holiday company and a travel agency.

The reasons why the holiday companies had introduced such a restriction would then have to be analysed,
after which it would have to be determined whether the restriction was economically justified (different
modes of transport, different VAT or other tax rates, etc.).

Only after such a detailed examination had been carried out would it be possible to say whether the
prohibition in question was compatible or not with Article 81(3) of the Treaty.

If such companies were to distribute their services directly to the consumer without going through travel
agencies or other third parties, this type of practice would not be contrary to the competition rules unless
it was being engaged in by a company in a dominant position.

The Directorate-General for Competition will investigate these matters.

(2003/C 28 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0460/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Increase in ozone levels in Greece

According to Greek press reports, Greece is one of the worst offenders as regards exceeding the threshold
for ‘bad ozone’. This is due largely to cross-border primary pollution from countries to the north and
north-west of Greece, such as the former eastern bloc countries (the former USSR and others), Germany,
northern Italy, Romania and Bulgaria. According to the same sources, even if it cuts ozone emissions by
50 %, Greece will only be able to reduce levels slightly (10 % at most), owing to the ‘smog’ imported from
other countries.