Direct Holidays estimates €11.5m savings

Direct Holidays has estimated that it saved Irish consumers over €11.5m in travel agents’ fees over the last five years, since the company joined the Irish holiday market in September 1999.

Managing director Rick Green said: “We are pro-consumer choice, and not against the travel agent and his role.

“However, this begs the question: how long are the public going to want to continue giving away their hard-earned money in commission charges?

“In today’s current economic climate, where people are more price-conscious than ever, is it any wonder that people are deciding against paying commission to the travel agent and choosing to book direct instead?”

The company, which only sells its own holidays direct to the public, thus cutting out the travel agent and all of his commission, claims this saves around 10% on the cost of a holiday, when compared to a similar holiday purchased through a travel agent.

This equates to an average saving of €45 per person.