Booking a holiday? Here's how to avoid scam websites, lost deposits and missed flights

The consumer watchdog received 2,700 complaints last year ranging from scam websites to lost luggage, writes John Hearne

If something goes wrong on your trip, the package holiday provider must fix the problem. File photo

There’s nothing like booking your summer holiday to help lift the January gloom, but new research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) reveals that 16% of Irish holidaymakers experienced issues with foreign holidays between May and August last year.

The research also showed that holidaymakers spent almost €2,500 on flights and accommodation, so it pays to know your rights, just in case something does go wrong. Because this is such a popular time to plan a holiday, the CCPC is warning consumers to expect the unexpected — not just while away — but also in the period before their holiday.