ALMOST ONE IN five Irish holidaymakers experienced issues with foreign holidays between May and August of last year – with some left thousands of euro out of pocket.

New research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has found that people spend almost €2,500 on flights and accommodation, meaning it pays to check what their rights would be in the event they run into a problem with their holiday.

The consumer watchdog’s warning comes amid an expected surge in people booking a holiday to look forward towards as a boost during the January gloom.

Flight delays and reschedules were the most common issue cited by those who travelled last year, with the CCPC helpline receiving almost 2,700 contacts about travel related issues.

On average, consumers reported spending on up to €2,473 on their holidays.

Travellers are urged to be wary of unexpected offers, especially from unsolicited emails or social media ads.

They should also avoid making payments through bank transfer and use a credit or debit card instead, the watchdog added.

“As January is a popular time to plan a holiday after the festive season, the CCPC is warning consumers to expect the unexpected not just while away, but also in the period before their holiday,” a spokesperson for the body said.

“In the event of a strike or an extreme weather event if a traveler tries to buy insurance after this comes to light, they may find they are not covered.”

What could go wrong?

In 2025, the CCPC helpline received almost 2,700 contacts about travel related issues.

Their report outlines some of the issues faced by consumers, including misleading advertisements and outright scams.

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.

One parent told the watchdog of of how their son and his friends lost out on €4,000 after renting a villa in Ibiza through what looked to be a legitimate website. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a scam.

Other issues raised included lost luggage and the pitfalls of certain payment plans – so customers are advised to read the terms and conditions.

One frustrated traveller said:

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.

Another complained to the CCPC:

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.

Travel insurance was urged by the CCPC as a way of easing these problems.

Overall, 30% of holidaymakers travelled uninsured, rising to 48% among those under 35. 18–24-year-olds were the most likely to holiday (58%) but the least likely to have travel insurance according to the CCPC.

Deputy director of communications at the CCPC Orla Delargy said that travellers who are uninsured “need to expect the unexpected” and bear in mind that late insurance purchase may not cover you for some events.

“CCPC research shows that Irish holiday makers are spending €2500 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,” Delargy said.

For further advice on travel rights and what you should be aware of before you go, visit Travel - CCPC Consumers