Holidaymakers are being urged to book with Irish-based travel agents to protect their consumer rights.

The Irish Travel Agents Association has underlined that the FTI Group is due to go bust on Monday.

It has asked holidaymakers to book with an ITAA member to avoid disruption as the company supplies to multiple travel agents here.

FTI Group

“The reality is the FTI are a very large European tour operator based in Germany,” ITAA Vice President Paul Hackett explained. 

“Over 11,000 employees, 200 subsidiaries and it’s those subsidiary companies that are having an impact on the Irish market. 

“Because some travel companies - like our own - would use some of those subsidiaries for accommodation supply for our own customers.”

An aerial view of Dublin Airport from the perspective of a Boeing 737. Image: Mint Photography / Stockimo / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Hackett said people who have booked through an Irish company should have any issues sorted out. 

“The reality is, all of this should be sorted by the travel company that they have booked with,” he said. 

“So, Irish holidaymakers, whether they are abroad or about to go abroad, they should not experience any issues. 

“If they do have any problems whatsoever, they should immediately contact their travel agent and their travel agent should immediately resolve the problem. 

“Consumer protection is a huge thing in the holiday business.”

Main image: People with suitcases at Dublin Airport. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie