The European Consumer Centre Ireland (ECCI) has issued advice for travellers amid what it describes as the “unforeseen challenges” during the 2023 summer season.

There have been flight cancellations due to strikes, and wildfires in parts of Europe have resulted in the evacuation of many holidaymakers.

Prolonged heatwaves and severe flooding have also prompted holiday cancellations and delays.

The centre points out that people’s consumer rights are contingent upon the type of travel – package holidays, linked-travel arrangements (a subset of package travel) or independent holidays.

Legislative framework

The ECCI says that the most comprehensive safeguard for consumers lies with the package-holiday option, due to the legislative framework provided by both the EU and its member states.

For those whose holiday-travel services have been booked separately, the ECCI advises that there are different and separate consumer protections when it comes to air-passenger rights, as well as sea travel by ferry or passenger ship.

The centre also warns that if accommodation has been directly and independently, and if a traveller arrives too late or misses the first day of the reservation, this may trigger automatic cancellations of the entire stay reservation and, in some cases, the inability to claim money back.

Car rental

The consumer body says that car rental stands apart from the other modes of travel due to its lack of dedicated consumer rights and protections in both EU and national regulations.

“The terms and conditions of the car-rental company might offer such provisions, and your fundamental consumer rights still apply,” the ECCI says.

“Depending on the type of reservation, it is important to meticulously review the terms of both the third-party booking website and the car rental agency,” it adds.

The centre also advises travellers to obtain travel insurance.