Irish people could spend almost €530 million on package holidays this year, official figures show.
State regulator, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), published the estimate as it announced that it had licensed 79 travel agents this month but cautioned that five others had yet to renew their permits.
The authority said that Lee Travel in Cork, Navan Travel in Co Meath, Phoenix Travel in Co Wicklow, Strand Travel in Waterford and Earth’s Edge, had applied for licences, but did not have them by Wednesday.
Travel agents have to provide insurance, known as a bond, to protect customers should a company fail, as part of the process to secure a licence.
Lee Travel told The Irish Times that it had received a letter of principle from the authority, confirming it would be licensed, and said it would have a bond in place on Thursday, which would see the authority issuing the permit. The company has already renewed its tour operator’s licence for the next 12 months.
Martin Skelly of Navan Travel pointed out that the IAA had issued his company with three letters of principle, the last in late April, and said it would have its bond in place shortly.
He added that information supplied to the authority showed Navan Travel was profitable and had a strong balance sheet.
Lee Osbourne of Phoenix Travel confirmed that his company had the bond in place and expected the authority to license it within days.
Earth’s Edge confirmed that it was in the final stages of renewing its licence following an administrative delay. “We continue to operate as normal,” said a statement. “All clients who have already booked expeditions with us remain fully protected under our previous licence.”
Strand Travel had not responded to a request for comment by the time of going to press.
The IAA stated that the firms without licences “should not take any new bookings for overseas travel from May 1st, 2005″ and advised that customers would not be covered after that date. It added that those who booked before that date would be covered.
The authority noted that it could not comment on individual agents.
“We will continue to work the companies listed, and should they meet the requirements in future, we will issue them a licence,” it said. “We will keep our website updated should any further licences be issued.”
Based on information submitted by travel agents, the IAA estimates their total turnover this year will hit €529.4 million – the amounts they believe customers will spend buying package holidays.
While the figures do not indicate which destinations Irish people favour, recent surveys show that sun holidays continue to top the list. Travel agent Click&Go’s last round-up of holidaymakers’ plans showed that six out of 10 Irish people intended to seek warm weather this summer.
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Its survey found that cruises were next most popular, followed by city breaks and then the United States. Most Irish people intend travelling abroad at some point.
The revenue of eight licensed tour operators should reach €3.9 million this year, the figures show.
The authority holds two licensing rounds a year in spring and autumn.
