Fears have risen that the financial and personal details of Irish tourists have been severely compromised after the €36.5bn hotel chain Marriott said that a key reservation system had been hacked.

Marriott says details of up to 500m guests may have been accessed in breach of its reservation database.

Some of the most influential travel industry leaders in America have urged US President Barack Obama to approve a licence for low-cost flights to the US from Ireland.

Marriott International will buy Sheraton owner Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in a $12.2bn (€11.4bn) deal to create the world’s largest hotel chain.