Do You Hate Ryanair?

This week’s BBC Panorama programme focused on the low-cost airline Ryanair and asked the question ‘Why Hate Ryanair’. It’s an interesting debate and whilst the programme provided an insight into Michael O’Leary and his Irish operation the question is did the programme provide any new information about Ryanair? Probably not, so why do it in the first place?

From a travel agent’s perspective there are issues which are more important such as the financial protection of passengers which the Panorama failed to address. By booking holidays and/or flights with ABTA and ATOL protected operators the client’s money is protected when things go wrong, but when Ryanair cancels a flight and you have booked your own accommodation which you may not be able to now reach, you have no comeback when the accommodation provider levies no-show charges (and they do!). Or you may be returning to the UK and Ryanair cancels a flight resulting in you having to find accommodation for however many nights it is before you can catch an alternative flight back to your UK destination. In both cases Ryanair will not compensate you although they will refund the air fare (which may be very cheap) and you will be left to sort out your own alternative travel arrangements. Contrast this with an ATOL protected holiday, the ATOL holder is responsible for your complete package and it is down to them to assist you with the alternative arrangements at no cost to you the traveller. Perhaps the low-cost airline is not quite as cheap as you thought now?

To view the BBC Panorama edition ‘Why Hate Ryanair’ click here.

The Best Ten Beaches In The World?

The Sunday Times has encouraged it’s travel writers to reveal their favourite beaches and there are some stunners as well as some surprises.

From exotic destinations such as the Maldives, Seychelles and the Caribbean, to closer to home gems such as Porthcurno in Cornwall, Cala Erbaju in Corsica, and Panormos Bay in Mykonos, the Sunday Times’ writers have been more than forthcoming in sharing their own secret paradises with their readers. Read the article online here.