The Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley, has warned travel agents that consumers are entitled to compensation if package holidays are changed due to over-booking or problems with overseas operators. Several consumers contacted the director's office concerning holidays whose destinations had been changed at the last minute.
Under the law, package holidays may only be changed in unusual or unforeseen circumstances. This does not include over-booking. Consumers are entitled to cancel these trips and receive a full refund if changes are made to a pre-booked package. In some cases, they may claim compensation even if they accept the adjusted holiday.