What is travel trade licensing?
All tour operators and travel agents trading in the State are required by law to be licensed and bonded to buy or sell overseas travel originating in the State to destinations outside the State or Northern Ireland.
The Commission has produced a set of guidelines on the travel agents and tour operators licensing regime, which can be downloaded here.
The Commission is creating a web based licence application process which will be available in the near future. If, however, you are seeking a new Travel Agent's or Tour Operator's license for the first time, please contact the Commission for a hard copy application form.
What is the Commission's role?
The Commission has four main roles under the broad heading of travel trade licensing:
- licensing travel agents and tour operators buying and selling overseas travel;
- administering a bonding scheme for travel agents and tour operators;
- processing claims for refunds and repatriation in the event of a travel agent or tour operator going out of business; and
- investigating instances of alleged illegal trading and, when necessary, prosecuting illegal traders.
At the end of 2009, a total of 298 firms were granted licenses, comprising 239 travel agents and 59 tour operators.
What does the Commission not do?
The Commission's role does not encompass the following:
- licensing travel arrangments for domestic travel in Ireland;
- handling consumer complaints about travel agents, tour operators, hotels, luggage or airlines; or
- handling complaints about advertising (unless this is by an alleged unlicensed trader).