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24-02-10
Threats of passport service disruption a major concern – ITAA
- “Get your passport application in now” – Dawson.
- New ITAA President pledges to be consumers’ watchdog
Dublin, 24 February, the newly elected President of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA), Mr Pat Dawson today warned consumers to apply early for passport renewals this spring. He said public service workers seem to look at the travelling public as an easy target when making protests about public sector pay. He called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide reassurance that Irish people travelling abroad would not be blocked through inability to get a passport.
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26-11-09
ITAA Statement on closure of Budget Travel
The ITAA was sad to hear of the closure of the Tour Operating Company Budget Travel yesterday.
ITAA CEO Simon Nugent said "While Budget was not a member of the Association, our thoughts are with our many friends and colleagues who worked in the company and who have now lost their jobs.
"Contrary to some media reports, we do not expect any holidaymakers to be "stranded" abroad. Budget was a licensed and bonded travel company and we expect that the Government Regulator will make arrangements to bring customers home on schedule without any fuss.
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01-09-09
Travel Agents Renew call for Reform of Regulatory Regime.
 31 August 2009 Speaking today on RTE’s Today with Pat Kenny, Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) President, Jim Vaughan renewed his call for far reaching reform of the licensing and bonding system.
“We need a universal protection scheme that makes sure that consumers who piece together their own holidays using different websites are covered by a protection scheme in the same way as those who book with licensed and bonded agents.
The government could easily institute such a scheme by a levy – or better setting aside a small portion of the 10 Euro Departure Tax announced in the last budget.
“Last week EU Commissioner Kuneva came to Galway and pointed out that while those who book holidays through licensed agents benefit from a gold plated consumer protection regime and went on to announce plans to launch a consultation on a Europe wide regulations to protecting consumers who book through websites run by airlines and many other intermediaries who are currently unregulated. Of course these plans will take years to bear fruit.
“The irony is that we could start with an Irish system now. A proposal of this sort has been on the desk of our own Minister for Transport for almost a year but we have seen no action. The Minister’s own advisor – the Commission for Aviation Regulation - has confirmed that the current system which only protects a fraction of the holidays Irish people buy is unsustainable in the long term and is extraordinarily expensive for the licensed agents to provide.”
For further information Jim Vaughan, President 087 2402188 or
Simon Nugent, CEO, 01 6794089 or 086 2459679.
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13-08-09
Wet weather and low prices persuading many to grab last minute trips abroad
Wet weather and low prices persuading many to grab last minute trips abroad.
Thursday 13 August 2009. Travel agents across Ireland are reporting an unusual surge in bookings this month thanks to a mix of the real climate and the economic climate.
Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) President, Jim Vaughan explained “My members are telling me their customers are sick and tired of staring at rusting bar-b-ques and soggy kids while they wait for the weather to clear up. They are also realising that the global recession has driven the cost of holidays down in every destination so that there are now lots of affordable deals available – even for people who have seen their own income drop in recent months.
As Met Eireann tells us today that the coming weekend is offering more lousy weather, people might like to know that:
- September prices in most sun resorts around the Mediterranean start from less than €400 for a week including departures from Cork, Shannon or Dublin.
- A family of 4 could still grab a week this August in the resort of Alvor, Portugal for €1,692.
- In September you can have a 3 night break in New York for less than €500 (flights taxes and hotel included)
- You can take a seven day cruise in the Med this autumn for prices starting from €549 (including flights)
- A family of 4 can have a week’s holiday in Orlando this October for €399 a head.
Mr Vaughan added “It’s no surprise that 2009 has been characterised by last minute bookings. The point is that there is still choice and value. These are just some of the options available at the moment. By talking to an independent travel agent customers can be sure they are exploring the full range of options, seeing the real all-inclusive price and finding a trip that suits their pocket. Also, as all our members are licensed and bonded you know your money is safe”
About the ITAA
The Irish Travel Agents Association represents over 200 travel agents throughout Ireland all of whom offer a full range of holidays using the full range of airlines and ferry companies departing from Ireland and extensive networks of accommodation and other suppliers in the countries Irish people like to visit.
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19-06-09
ITAA Comment on CSO Travel Statistics for Q1 of 2009
Friday 19 June 2009. Commenting on reports figures released today that showed that Irish residents took fewer trips abroad in the first three months of 2009 than 2008, ITAA CEO, Simon Nugent, said
“There is absolutely no surprise that the numbers travelling are down around 10% or 11% compared to last year – which was, after all, a record year for Irish foreign travel. In fact with numbers similar to the first quarter of 2007, this year will almost certainly turn out to be the second or third busiest year ever for trips abroad.
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18-06-09
There Has Never Been A Better Time To Travel
Press Release Date: 16th June 2009
There has never been a better time to travel than now - ITAA travel agents have fantastic deals and the best holiday advice at their fingertips.
Today, Tuesday 16th June, Kathryn Thomas, presenter of No Frontiers, was out in the centre of Dublin catching a ray of sunshine to help the ITAA launch their "Get a Great Holiday Deal Now" campaign.
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15-06-09
Toolin Travel
15 June 2009
Closure of Toolin Travel
Toolin Travel, which ceased trading on Friday 12 June was a fully licensed and bonded travel agent and, therefore consumers who have booked travel will either be able to travel as normal or else will be entitled to a full refund. We expect that the company will communicate with all customers to advise of the state of their bookings in the next day or two. The Government body responsible for administering claims for refunds from customers of Toolin Travel is the Commission for Aviation Regulation. Concerned consumer will be able to find the most up-to-date information about refund claims on the regulator’s website http://www.aviationreg.ie/.
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29-04-09
ITAA statement on Mexican Swine Flu outbreak
Dublin Tuesday 28 April 2009. The Association is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, our member companies and our industry partners to respond to the rapidly changing situation in Mexico.
We note that the Department of Foreign Affairs has today, 28 April, recommended against non-essential travel to Mexico. In the circumstances ITAA members are liaising with airlines, tour operators and other suppliers to ensure that those who had made plans to travel to Mexico in the near future are provided with alternative solutions such as alternative dates or destinations.
Given the pace of change, the Association is providing advice to its members on an ongoing basis so that they can brief their customers.
Consumers who have bought travel to Mexico in the near future may also wish to check the terms and conditions of their travel insurance as there may be an entitlement to refund.
The Irish Governments advice on this issue can be found here (travel) and here (health).
For information from the Mexican government click here.
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