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Stag Republic Demands Investigation Into Illegal Budapest Stag Companies
here are strict controls are members of an association
on tour operators in the like ABTA or ATOL, which means
UK. Most people assume this they have to follow a strict code
applies across the EU but of conduct. These associations
weekenders from Britain should be also give holidaymakers an option
aware of the risks of booking a when their trip abroad fails to
weekend in Budapest through a live up to expectations. For this
company without a license to reason, visitors are strongly
operate. advised to book a weekend in
Budapest through a locally run
With thousands of young men company like Stag Republic.
coming to Eastern Europe on stag
weekends to sample the cheap Stag Republic was the first stag
booze and buzzing nightlife of weekend organiser in Hungary, so
cities like Budapest, Bratislava when we set up the company, we
and Warsaw, organising stag and wanted to do everything by the
hen weekends is a lucrative book. We filled out all the
business. The Wall Street Journal necessary paperwork and continue
estimates the market is worth a to pay an annual membership fee
£60 million a year, so it's no to MUISZ, the Hungarian
wonder new companies are popping Association of Tour Operators and
up every day. Travel Agencies. Since then,
several companies have started
Unfortunately, only a handful of up, and not a single one has gone
those in Budapest are licensed, down this route. What this means
and some are not even legitimate for weekenders is that if they
concerns. So what does this mean are taken for a ride or do not
for the customer? receive the expected level of
service, they have nowhere to
Most tour operators in Britain turn. This is a big risk to take
when you are leaving a hefty following:
deposit and handing over credit
card details or hundreds of • Hungary for Fun is a "local
pounds in cash. program organiser", which means
it does not require a permit to
But not only are many companies operate. However, the company can
not affiliated to MUISZ, some of only officially offer a maximum
them are not even operating of one activity per group. By
legally or paying taxes. Many of offering packages on their
our competitors are based website, they are breaking the
wherever it suits them at any law.
time. For tax purposes in the UK,
they are Hungarian, but at the • Budapest Piss-up is registered
same time, they do not have a as an English-language online
registered company in Hungary. We information portal that does not
have done a lot of research into offer services. One glance at the
this - they are acting entirely site reveals this to be untrue.
illegally and are accountable to
no one, in some cases not even • Budapest Madness is yet to
the tax authorities. This puts respond the official inquiry and
our business at a huge is currently under investigation.
disadvantage.
Where this leaves stag weekenders
Because of the lack of official is not clear. The majority have a
licensing for our competitors, we great time - it's hard not to in
took the step of requesting an Eastern Europe - but if that
official enquiry into local hotel booking goes wrong, the
organisers and already, the airport transfer fails to arrive
National Association for Consumer or the activities aren't up to
Protection has found the scratch, there's no one to turn
to and the best man gets the Is that a risk worth taking to
blame. save a couple of quid?
About the Author:
Josey Walker – Managing Director of Stag Republic & Hen Nation – two Budapest-based companies that have been organising made-to-measure stag and hen weekends in Eastern Europe since 2000. jwalker@budapestweekends.co.uk http://www.stagrepublic.co.uk
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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