CCPC warns Irish holiday makers not to overlook an easily avoided 'potential pitfall'
January is a prime time to book a summer holiday for many, as people like to have something to look forward to later in the year, and it is a good time to find affordable deals.However, there are some common complaints that Irish holidaymakers have, with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) warning holidaymakers to be aware. New findings from the CCPC reveal that 16% of Irish holidaymakers encountered problems with foreign holidays between May and August last year.The report found that the majority of the issues came from flight cancellations, delays and rescheduling. Holidaymakers spend nearly €2,500 on flights and accommodation, so it is important to understand your rights.Among all age groups, those aged 18–24 were most likely to face problems, with 29% affected. One in three holidaymakers travelled without insurance, and almost half of those under 35 were not covered by travel insurance. This increased to 48% amongst those under 35. 18–24 year olds were the most likely to take holidays (58%) but the least likely to have travel insurance.One in ten purchased insurance after booking their holiday. In case of a strike or severe weather conditions, travellers who attempt to purchase insurance after these events are known may find themselves without coverage.In 2025, the CCPC helpline received nearly 2,700 contacts regarding travel-related issues. They have revealed some of the queries they helped with:“When I picked this hotel there was a photo with a beautiful beach which was the only reason I booked it – it was a 4-hour round trip from the beach to the hotel!”“My son and his friends decided to rent a villa in Ibiza through what looked to be a legitimate website. He ended up paying over €4,000 to secure the booking. It turned out to be a scam”“The airline lost my suitcase for my skiing trip in Switzerland. I paid for two lessons, but I couldn’t go because I didn’t have my ski gear.”“I booked a package holiday to Spain and had been paying it off in installments. I missed a payment and now my holiday is cancelled, and my deposit is gone.”“I booked a flight to Wales to attend an event. My flight has been rescheduled to a later time meaning that I will miss it.”23% of holidaymakers arranged a package holiday last summer. Those who book package holidays can depend on their travel agent to arrange alternative arrangements if issues arise, but if you've organised your own trip, a missed flight or cancelled accommodation could prove expensive.Outside of travel insurance, there are ways that holidaymakers can protect themselves when planning a trip including:Be wary of unexpected offers, especially from unsolicited emails or social media ads.Do your research, check Trustpilot or Reddit for reviews, and don’t rush.Review the cancellation and refund policies before you book.Pay securely. Don’t make payments through bank transfer– use your credit or debit card instead.“CCPC research shows that Irish holiday makers are spending 2500 euro on average for their foreign summer holiday. That’s a considerable amount of money, so travellers should think about potential pitfalls that could ruin their plans," Orla Delargy, Deputy Director of Communications said."Three in five of those who travelled abroad either have insurance or buy it with the holiday. If you’re travelling uninsured you need to expect the unexpected, and bear in mind that late insurance purchase may not cover you for some events.”Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
