Skiing with Topflight in Alpe_d’Huez, France (Photo: Leslie Graham)
Interview with Damien Mooney. Former President of the Irish Tour Operators Federation, ITOF
Irish Tour Operators Federation Announces Licence Renewals of its Members amid Airline Uncertainty
Monday 21st December 2009
The Irish Tour Operators Federation (ITOF) members have all had their licences and bonds renewed by the Commission for Aviation Regulation as of 1st November 2009. This renewal gives confidence and stability amidst closures of travel agencies, tour operators and the latest low cost airline failure – Flyglobespan, an Edinburgh based company that went into administration leaving 3,400 people stranded abroad.
Comparisons can be drawn as to how clients fare with Tour Operators versus low cost airlines and independent travel. The bonds and licences held by member companies ensure that travel plans booked with these Operators are protected, which is reassuring and vital in the current climate. This was evidential with the recent collapse of Budget Travel, whose clients were not left stranded and were fully repatriated, at no additional cost, and those who had booked on full packages were fully refunded.
Kevin Nolan, President of ITOF said “This year has seen an upturn in clients travelling with Tour Operators, with many asking questions regarding bonding and licensing, as the issue of protection has come to the fore front of Irish travel. The demise of travel companies in recent times is affecting Irish clients dramatically and it is essential to let holidaymakers know that insecurity does not have to be an issue when booking a holiday wit a fully licensed and bonded Tour Operator.
Those who are booking with any ITOF member company, namely American/Crystal Holidays, Falcon Holidays, Panorama/Sunworld Holidays, Sunway Travel, and Topflight, can be assured, that in the unlikely event of a company going out of business, they are fully protected with the bonding arrangements that are in place, and as a result will be fully refunded or repatriated at no additional cost”.
ITOF is the representative body in Ireland of the leading outbound tour operators. All members are bonded and are licensed by the Commission for Aviation Regulation as required by legislation.
About ITOF
The Irish Tour Operators Federation (ITOF), formed in 2002, is a non-commercial organisation that represents the major tour operators in Ireland with a strong focus on issues confronting their sector and their customers at home and abroad. Over half a million Irish package holidaymakers travel with ITOF members each year to destinations worldwide.
Combined, ITOF members account for over 90 per cent of outbound package holidays. Their sector generates in excess of €500 million annually and employs several thousand people at home and overseas. ITOF President is Kevin Nolan, Topflight. ITOF Council members are Philip Airey (Sunway), John Kinane Panorama/Sunworld and Ray Scully Crystal/American Holidays. Flan Clune is the ITOF Chief Executive.
All members are bonded and are licensed by the Commission for Aviation Regulation as required by legislation.
