Travel agents ‘must adapt to grow’

The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has warned that Ireland’s travel agents are wrapped up in out-of-date regulation and that this, combined with the challenging economic environment, is threatening travel industry jobs in all parts of the country.

To address this issue, the ITAA has made a submission to the Commission on Aviation Regulation calling for real reforms, and common sense solutions, to allow the travel industry to grow and develop.

The ITAA submission, which outlines important steps that could be taken to reduce the administrative and financial burden on travel agents arising from excessive regulation, also makes a number of recommendations that would very substantially benefit travelling consumers in Ireland.

The recommendations for reform put forward by the ITAA include: universal protection for all travellers; reform of bonding requirements, cut red tape and tackle illegal operators.