“Within the scope of the Simplex + program, Turismo de Portugal now offers an ‘online’ platform that simplifies and streamlines for travellers the submission and processing of cases in the Arbitral Commission, in the case of the activation of the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund”, said the tourist authority in a statement.

In this way, the process can now “take place in a completely digital way”, and an online form can be submitted for the intervention request of the Arbitral Commission, which appreciates the requests for activation of the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund (FGVT) .

That fund, clarified Turismo de Portugal, is “responsible for jointly responding to the payment of travellers’ credits, arising from the non-performance of services contracted to travel and tourism agencies”.

Upon receipt of FGTV triggering requests, Turismo de Portugal notifies the responsible travel and tourism agencies to pay the amount due within 10 days, before triggering the fund.

The Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques, has welcomed the launch of the platform, stressing that “this solution facilitates access to services, improving the quality and speed of service, enhancing a quick and efficient response to people’s needs”.