Collective Commentary about the New Package Travel Directive

970 COLLECTIVE COMMENTARY ABOUT THE NEW PACKAGE TRAVEL DIRECTIVE per cent), Spain (6,9 per cent), Bulgaria (5,7 per cent) and Poland (5,4 per cent). In 2017, Lithuanian accommodation establishments received 3,3 million tourists, or by 6,2 per cent more than in 2016. Foreigners accounted for 48,7 per cent of the total number of the tourists accommodated (by 4,4 per cent more than in 2016). The majority of foreign tourists were from Belarus – 177 thousand (11,2 per cent), Germany – 176,2 thousand (11,1 per cent), 168,1 thousand (10,6 per cent), Poland – 161,4 thousand (10,2 per cent), and Latvia – 152,3 thousand (9,6 per cent).” (Statistical yearbook of Lithuania 2018, page 414). 2. MANAGEMENT AND LEGAL REGULATION SECTOR IN LITHUANIA In the Republic of Lithuania functions of the tourism management are implemented by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Government, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, as well as institutions and municipalities authorized by the Government. Policies of the tourism development are determined by the Seimas adopting a long-term strategy regarding Lithuanian tourism development and passing laws, and the Government prepares a long-term strategy regarding Lithuanian tourism development as well as performs other functions established by law. The Ministry of Economy and Innovation plans the strategical activity of Lithuanian tourism; shapes national policy in the field of tourism as well as organizes, coordinates and controls its implementation; participates in the activities of transnational tourism and tourism related organizations that are shaping tourism policy. Since 1 January 2019 the management of activity of tourism services suppliers (licenses issue matters for tour operators, guides; accommodation services) is subject to the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority and public agency “Lithuania Travel” is responsible for national tourism marketing. In the Republic of Lithuania tourism services are determined by several main legal acts which are the following: 1) Lithuanian Tourism Development Programme 2014-2020; 2) Strategy of Lithuania Tourism Marketing for 2014-2020; 3) Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania (2000); 4) Law on Tourism of the Republic of Lithuania (2018);