Local travel agent immediately gets to work for Budget Travel affected customers

Waterford based travel agent, Nicola Norris, is offering help, advice and alternative travel arrangements to those travellers affected by the news that Budget Travel ceased trading on Wednesday.

Ireland's largest tour operator was officially wound up after a provisional liquidator was appointed at the High Court, with the loss of 172 jobs and the closure of 17 retail shops. A total of 747 people are on holiday abroad with the company, with thousands more customers affected by the news with future travel bookings.

As soon as the news broke, Nicola from Ballymacarbry near Dungarvan, who works as part of leading independent travel company Travel Counsellors, which prides itself on offering the best possible levels of personal service to its customers, was notified of the situation and was able to offer advice and reassurance to any travellers affected by the collapse.

As Travel Counsellors didn't actually deal with Budget none of its own clients were affected, however the company has put out a statement saying it is prepared to help anyone who has made a booking with the tour operator.

Local Travel Counsellor Nicola comments; "Whilst Budget Travel are bonded with the Commission for Aviation Regulation, meaning they should be able to get a refund for cancelled holidays, these customers will still be left without an alternative holiday. We want to let people know we are willing to help in any way we can, even if it is just advice on how to claim their refund, and can also offer alternative travel arrangements for those now left without a holiday."

Nicola will be offering support services to the people affected such as expert travel advice and helping them fill out their claim forms when seeking refunds for their holidays.

This unique level of customer service has enabled Travel Counsellors to buck the current economic trend as Ireland continues to see a growing number of travel shop closures across the country. Launched in the UK in 1994, Travel Counsellors is now the world's largest home-based travel company, which expanded into the Republic of Ireland in 2005 and now has 43 experienced travel professionals operating their own home-based travel businesses throughout the Republic with 28 in the North of Ireland. These agents have the flexibility and support to enable them to concentrate on giving their customers the highest levels of service and are available at a time to suit them.

Nicola adds; "Customers want to book with an agent they can trust and in these uncertain times this is even more important. Our head office takes away the administration from us so that we can take the time to build relationships with their customers, getting to know them and tailor-making holidays to suit their needs. As a result whilst we have seen a lot of shop closures on the high street in recent months here in Ireland, with this most recent collapse of Budget Travel being a major loss within the industry, Travel Counsellors continue to buck the trend because of the service and value for money we can provide. I urge any customers affected by the collapse of Budget Travel to get in touch with me and I will be able to advise and help them, whilst offering alternative travel arrangements for those left without a holiday."

For more information contact Nicola Norris on 052 6136886 or email nicola.norrisattravelcounsellors.com or www.travelcounsellors.ie/nicola.norris