It might be that many of us were fed up with storms and floods, or perhaps it was the fabulous summer of 2013 that has reminded us of the joys of UV rays, but whatever the reason, Irish consumers are seriously in the mood for their summer holidays. Travel agent ClickandGo report that January saw a 40% increase in bookings for holidays compared to the same month last year.

However, with bookings on the increase, why are share prices for the likes of Thomas Cook plummeting to the ground?

Pat Dawson, CEO of the Irish Travel Agents Association says: “The two-week package holiday that people went on with the likes of Thomas Cook or Budget Travel is nowhere near as popular as it used to be. This is mainly because Aer Lingus and Ryanair have increased their routes and people have much more flexibility to mix and match the elements of the holiday that they want.”

Also known as dynamic holidays, people are no longer tied to departing on a Saturday, they can now fly midweek and may be getting much better deals.

Spain Still on Top

That doesn’t mean that families aren’t still visiting the popular holiday destinations. Pat says: “Spain continues to be the top holiday destinations for Irish consumers, not just because of its convenience, but its value for money. This is followed closely by France and Portugal.”

Yet, with other airlines such as Emirates and Etihad offering more direct flights from Ireland to destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, these are also on the increase.

“Emigration trends over the past few years have seen older families visiting their children who are working abroad,” says Pat.

“So flights to Australia and New Zealand have become more popular, but Canada is definitely taking the lead with a 24% increase in recent years. Again, Aer Lingus offering direct flights to Toronto is making this trip more accessible and cheaper. Air capacity definitely dictates the trends.”

Travel Agent versus DIY

Unlike a few years ago, consumers now have the ability to book the whole trip themselves. Apps such as Skyscanner allow us to do everything a travel agent’s computer does, comparing the price of flights across a variety of different airlines.

So is the extra price charged by travel agents worth it? If you’re just hopping across to London for the weekend, then a DIY job will do just fine as a weekend trip like this wouldn’t normally be massively expensive.

However, if you’re going further afield there are big benefits to booking with a travel agent as consumers are protected under the Package Holiday and Travel Trade Act 1995.

Siobhan Howe of the National Consumer Agency (NCA) explains: “Many people think of a package holiday as one where a rep with a clipboard meets you off the plane. However, to get the benefits of this act, a package holiday just needs to include two of the following: transport, accommodation or a tourist activity such as golf or hill walking.”

So the more popular mix-and-match options would be covered by this, but always check with the provider at the time of purchase.

“If you’re covered under this act, it means that if anything goes wrong, from flights being cancelled to the hotel not being what was promised, it’s up to the travel agent to sort it out rather than you, which can prove very handy if you don’t speak the language.

“Many people don’t know this, but if you can’t make the holiday this act also allows you to transfer the holiday into someone else’s name, although there may be a charge with the airline.

Don’t just trust your local travel agent though and settle for the first price. It pays to shop around. Check out our tips on getting the best deal for your holiday.

Travel Insurance

If you’re booking a package holiday, your travel agent may tell you that booking travel insurance is obligatory. While this may be so, you may not necessarily have to book with them.

Shop around and get the best deal. Also, if you’ve just put down a big deposit on your holiday, you may be able to give the travel agent your policy number closer to the holiday so you can spread out the cost.

SmartShopper will be comparing travel insurance packages before the summer to help you find the best deal. CL

GET THE BEST DEAL

1 Look at different flight times: With many people opting for mix-and-match holidays rather than package holidays, it means you’re flying with the likes of Aer Lingus and Ryanair who offer midweek options. Travelling on a Wednesday means you could possibly save enough on your flight to get an extra night in the hotel. Be as flexible as possible to get the best deals.

2 Last minute: If you’re booking a traditional package holiday, then you’ll still get a good deal at the last minute. The package provider is sending the chartered flight to locations such as Tenerife anyway and will be eager for your business.

3 Advance booking: If you’re not opting for a package holiday, it’s best to book as far in advance as possible, especially if you’re flying long-haul. After all, if you’re flying with the likes of Ryanair, their flights get more expensive the closer you get to flying.

4 Good value: You’re guaranteed good value in Turkey if you’re opting for a package holiday. Turkey doesn’t allow Irish carriers to fly into their airports, so if there are extra seats, the flights will be cheaper.

5 Shop around: Yes, it pays to pick up the phone. A travel agent may have bulk bought seats for the flight you want, so not only do they want to sell you that seat, they also would have got that seat at a very good price.

6 Payments: Ask your travel agent if you can spread out the cost of your holiday. Some travel agents such as ClickandGo allow you to book your holiday from just €100 per person irrespective of what the flight price is. So get in early, get the best price and spread out your payments.

7 Consider an all-inclusive option: You may not think it’s for you, but at least price it up. It can seem expensive on paper, but price how much a meal is in the area or a glass of wine. In some tourist locations, it can really save you money to go all-inclusive

8 Buy Irish: It may seem a contradiction to suggest you buy your sun holiday from an Irish company, but we should always support our own in terms of Aer Lingus and Irish travel companies. Also, they tend to offer the best range of holidays for the Irish holidaymaker.

2014 TOP PICK

Pula on the Istrian Riviera in Croatia is a big new hit for 2014. Aer Lingus recently launched direct flights from Dublin to Pula for 2014, and it’s a beautiful destination that is a cheaper alternative to Dubrovnik Riveria. Travel agents such as ClickandGo are seeing an increased demand for this location.

Top 3

destinations

1. Spain

2. France

3. Portugal