Travel agents check in to reject criticism

THE Irish travel operators involved in providing charter services for the big Heineken Cup games throughout Europe have defended their patch in the wake of criticism from rugby star Marcus Horan.

The international prop forward this week questioned the prices being charged by travel companies for the transportation and accommodation of fans to fixtures abroad and suggested Munster supporters, in particular, had been financially screwed in some of their journeys throughout Britain and Europe.

In a measured but strong retort, Pat Dawson, the President of the Irish Travel Agents Association, whose company is involved in the transportation of fans to San Sebastian for Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Biarritz, said he was disappointed with Horan’s comments and offered to provide the player with a personal insight into the background costs of running charters packages from Ireland.