Sunday 18 April.  The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) said this afternoon that it expects hoteliers to be reasonable about both room prices and refunds while the ban on flights continues.

ITAA Chief Executive Simon Nugent said “We are seeing stories in the media about hotels inflating the prices they are charging travellers stranded abroad but this is not a problem facing our clients.  We have long term relationships with the hotels where our people stay.  We simply would not tolerate opportunistic price gouging from our suppliers.  If they tried to jack up their prices we would never send clients their way again.  

“In the same way, we are working to ensure that where our clients can not travel at present, that the hotels and other suppliers such as golf courses give either a full refund or a credit to be used when the trip is rescheduled. 

Mr Nugent added that travel agents have been working throughout the weekend and are on call 24/7 at present – trouble shooting problems for clients, sorting out cancellations and refunds, being on standby to rebook flights, providing customers with updates and advice by mobile phone and reassuring concerned relatives.

“This is an unprecedented event and is the source of huge anxiety for many of our customers.  We are doing what we can to minimise that and the feedback is that our clients are very grateful for that.

For further information

Simon Nugent, Chief Executive, Irish Travel Agents Association  086 2459679