The Polish minister has announced the establishment of the Tourist Assistance Fund (TFP), which will provide loans to travel agencies that face difficulties due to cancellations caused by conflicts or other exigent circumstances. This initiative is in response to a legislative requirement that mandates travel agencies to refund deposits or full prepayments to clients within 14 days of cancellation, presenting a potential financial risk in events of mass cancellations.

The Insurance Guarantee Fund (UFG), overseeing the TFP, has outlined the operational details and announced that it will begin accepting applications for refunds related to trips to the Middle East that have been canceled due to ongoing military actions. This move is particularly timely, as many travel agencies are currently grappling with the fallout from the armed conflict in the region, which has necessitated mass cancellations of tourism events.

The fund is financed by monthly contributions from tour operators based on each sold package, making it a collaborative effort within the industry to safeguard against unexpected disruptions. This measure aims to stabilize travel agencies during challenging periods and ensure that consumers can receive their money back for canceled trips, thus providing a necessary safety net in the tourism sector.