Travel Agents/Tour Operators

Competent Authority

The Irish Aviation Authority is responsible for the licensing of tour operators and travel agents under the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 as amended.

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 unless they are a retailer or organiser established in another Member State and have provided the Irish Aviation Authority with sufficient evidence of security for the protection of consumers.

The Authority has produced a set of guidelines on the travel agents and tour operators licensing regime, which can be downloaded from this link.

Applying for a licence

A person wishing to operate as either a travel agent, or tour operator must hold a valid licence.

Details and the application process can be found here: Apply for a Licence

Applications are accepted electronically by email and must include the application form, declaration page, projected licensable turnover and management accounts

Fees

An application for a travel agent or tour operator licence must be accompanied by the relevant fee. The fee structure for travel agent licence is set out here.

The fee for tour operator license applications is set according to the "projected licensable turnover" of the applicant company, however they start from €300 and increase depending on projected turnover. Fee payment can be made by EFT.

Contact Details

For further information on operating as either a travel agent, or tour operator in Ireland you should contact the Irish Aviation Authority directly here:

Email: traveltrade@iaa.ie

Tel: + 353 1 603 11 00

Irish Aviation Authority,
The Irish Times Building,
11-12 D'Olier Street,
Dublin 
D02 T449