Pat Dawson, chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association said projections mean this summer is likely to be the busiest since the onset of the pandemic and the number of people holidaying overseas is likely to blaze past the figure for 2019.Both Ms Slattery and Mr Dawson said accommodation prices in many tourist destinations have increased by between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, while still offering value compared to rates in this country.
“The one thing we have noticed is that people are going for the more expensive product, the high end product,” he said. “Not five or six stars [hotels] but the good hotels, good apartments. “There is no tightening of the belt when it comes to travelling abroad, but people want good quality stuff. She estimated in some cases prices have risen by 20 per cent, although she said mid-range three-star hotels and apartments have not seen similar price escalation and added: “I would not want to give the impression that everything is expensive.”
“Eighty-five per cent of holidays booked out of Ireland is dynamic packaging, where travel agents build the package for you, not forcing you into a package that is already made for you,” he said. One area where holidaymakers can pay more is flights with “the days of the €29.99 flight – they are like hen’s teeth.”