Category: Agents

#TRAVELTRADETOGETHER

 

More 2022 limited edition Travelbiz Diaries are making their way to our valued travel trade colleagues and friends. This time Don got to drop of a few to agents in Cork City including the all-new Barters Travelnet store on Patrick Street, The Bernard Hayes team on Oliver Plunkett Street, Heffernan’s Lee Travel and Cara and the Frosch Ireland team in Little Island.

 

Don Loved seeing you all and it was so good to hear you are all busy and ready to fill those Travelbiz Diaries. The Buzzbees are out and about and the postal drops have also commenced so your copy will be with you soon for all who registered.

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United Airlines, Rocky Mountaineer, Visit Utah and Visit Denver to offer an incredible agent incentive for Irish and UK agents.

 

The Prize

We have 8 spaces on a fabulous US Fam trip to give away!!

 

How to win:

Book a 2022 Rockies to the Red Rocks rail journey or package between 1st February and 31st March with accompanying return flights to the United States with United Airlines and at least 2 nights in Denver

 

Email your RM booking reference and airline locator to competition@rockymountaineer.com

 

The Itinerary

• October 2nd – Fly from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City with United Airlines. 2 nights Salt Lake City
• October 3rd – Day trip exploring the sights in and around Salt Lake City
• October 4th – Tansfer from Salt Lake City to Moab – 2 nights Moab
• October 5th – Dy trip exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Park
• October 6th – Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf service to Glenwood Springs – 1 night Glenwood Springs
• October 7th – Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf service to Denver – 2 nights Denver
• October 8th – Day trip exploring the sights in and around Denver
• October 9th – Fly from Denver to London Heathrow with United Airlines

 

How to win:

Book a 2022 Rockies to the Red Rocks rail journey or package between 1st February and 31st March with accompanying return flights to the United States with United Airlines and at least 2 nights in Denver

Email your RM booking reference and airline locator to competition@rockymountaineer.com

 

Fancy increasing your chances to win?!

Book SilverLeaf Plus on Rocky Mountaineer to receive an extra entry!

Book United Airlines Premium Plus or Polaris International Business Class to receive an extra entry!

 

Key conditions to note:

Only bookings on Rocky Mountaineers Rockies to the Red Rocks journey will qualify

 Airline PNR must be ticketed on UA with at least one sector containing a United Airlines operated flight

All entrants must have completed Rocky Mountaineer and United Airlines online training prior to departure.

For our wholesale partners, we will accept dual entries (one entry from a retail agent and one entry from your reservation teams) so please feel free to distribute this incentive amongst your retail partners.

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At long last they have aHived and the guys will Be Beelivering THIS WEEK! It’s a limited-edition Bounce Back in 22 edition and it’s the biggest Diary we have published ever! Buzz A and Buzz B cannot Beelieve we have managed to pull another edition from our hive once again! It’s going to BEE a Very Bizzy year so we have given you loads of extra pages to record all those inquiries and bookings for 2022!!!

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J Barter Travel, the longest running travel agency in Ireland with an extensive heritage has introduced an exciting re-branding initiative. This initiative not only highlights the company’s ability to adapt to change but it also unveils their new logo and mascot ‘Bartie’.

 

The deliberate choice of such vibrant colours accurately reflects the company’s attitude to their work, passionate, innovative, and energetic.

 

‘Bartie’ puts a face to the brand while simultaneously portraying the company’s personality, a company that promotes fun, excitement and flexibility in its approach.

 

The pandemic brought with it this unique opportunity to modernise the existing Barter’s offices in Cork City, Douglas, and Bandon. A particular emphasis was put on designing a more modern and accessible layout allowing for a more intimate customer experience.

 

Follow us on our social media channels for an exciting competition in celebration of our new branding initiative as you could be in with a chance to win a holiday to a sunny Mediterranean destination. 

For further information Contact: Barter’s Travelnet, 92 St Patrick’s St, Cork, T12 DP84

Tel: (021) 485 1700

Email: info@travelnet.ie

Website: https://www.travelnet.ie/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelnet.ie/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelnet.ie 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bartertravel

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The sun was shining and all the Deise agents were very busy this week as Don and Buzzbee delivered the first batch of requested Travelbiz 2022 Bounce Back limited-edition Diaries. It was so good to hear the phones ringing and people waiting to be served! We are most definitely back! Travel Trade Together. Some fun video footage to come later.

 

Buzzbee and Don Buzzed into to Ian, Lorraine and Sean in Harvey Travel: Thomas, Darren, Ian, Yvonne, Derek and Linda in Strand Travel Worldchoice and Jean, Don and Nicola in Icon Travel next stop…………..Stay Tuned to Travelbiz for lots more.

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Congratulations Richard Cullen on your retirement and a warm Travelbiz welcome back to Niall McDonnell appointed as new MD of Killiney Travel.

 

Brooklyn Travel has today completed the purchase of Killiney Travel from its owner/founder Richard Cullen.  Richard has taken the decision to retire from the business.

 

The Glasgow based company, already own/operate a range of businesses across the travel sector including Canterbury Travel, Stewart Travel, Destinology, Villa Select, CruiseKings, Scotland’s Cruise Centre, GolfKings, My Canada Trips and Santa Claus Trips.

 

Speaking about the acquisition, Duncan Wilson (CEO Brooklyn Travel) commented, “We are delighted to further expand the Brooklyn Travel portfolio with the addition of the much-respected Killiney Travel. This is our first venture into the Irish retail market, and we are excited at the opportunities that exist within the business”.

 

“Richard Cullen has built a successful business over many years and we are delighted to take ownership of a company that we believe has strong potential for growth”.

 

Niall McDonnell has been appointed as Managing Director of Killiney Travel to oversee and manage the newly acquired business.

 

Duncan Wilson, “The team at Brooklyn Travel have known and worked with Niall for many years, we are confident that his extensive experience and industry knowledge will enable growth and future success for Killiney Travel & Brooklyn Travel in Ireland. We are also confident that the travel sector will shortly be back to pre-pandemic levels all of which presents exciting times ahead for both Killiney Travel’s customers and staff.”

 

Richard Cullen commented, “My decision to retire was not an easy one but I feel the time is right to pass on the Killiney Travel business to Brooklyn Travel.  I see Brooklyn Travel as an excellent fit for the business and I wish them and all the staff an exciting and profitable future”.

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Travel Partners Group, the leading supplier industry grouping, are thrilled to announce Travel Focus has joined their group and will participate in the TPG roadshows in 2022.

 

Noel McAuliffe (MD Travel Focus) said, “We know the TPG group host some of the best roadshows in town and we are delighted to now be part of the team for 2022. We look forward to meeting agents and presenting our product at the roadshows in Waterford, Cork, Ballinasloe and Dundalk during the year”.

 

• Waterford  5th May
• Cork 19th May
• Ballinasloe  8th Sep
• Dundalk  22nd Sep

 

Alan Sparling (MD ASM Ireland & spokesperson for TPG) commented, “We are so pleased to have Noel and his team at Travel Focus join our group and we know they will be a welcome addition at our trade roadshows”.

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Borders reopening, restrictions being lifted and our trade partners reporting a high level of inquiries and bookings is the evidence that we are well on our way to the end of a time we shall never forget. The challenge is as predicted when we witnessed the first signs of a beginning to the end of what we have all endured over the past 22 months. The ability to manage and covert the surge in customer activity. The sector has been badly bruised and will take time to get the talented people we all lost replaced and back in retail and wholesale environments. Already we have seen a huge increase in jobs posted on the Travelbiz dedicated jobs page from airlines, tour operators and the retail sector. I believe we will all come back stronger than ever and will reap the benefits of never giving up and supporting our respective customers and trade partners.

 

I have said it so many times throughout our broadcasts and editorial updates that it has been a time to take the opportunity to rebuild and seek out new opportunities, partnerships and reinvest in a new future. You would never forgive yourself if you look back on the past two years and realise you missed a great opportunity to take stock in all that you do and not work on improving, rebuilding or simply showcasing a new look for the bounce back.

 

We are seeing evidence of that in our Industry and this week’s ezine highlights a number of examples at home and abroad.

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Travel Partners Group, the leading supplier industry grouping, has announced their roadshow schedule for 2022. This is another great step in the direction of full trade engagement and reconnection with your trade partners as we see a resumption of what we all do best.

 

Waterford 5th May Dooley’s Hotel

Cork 19th May Clancy’s Bar

Ballinasloe 8th Sep Shearwater Hotel

Dundalk 22nd Sep Imperial Hotel

 

Alan Sparling commented on behalf of Travel Partners Group, “Our last roadshow took place in Waterford during March 2020 and we look forward to re-commencing our events back in The Deise this May. Cork, Galway and Dundalk will follow and we promise to deliver an informative & fun filled evening, which agents have become accustomed to with TPG”.

 

“Watch out too, for exciting news we have about new suppliers coming on board”.

 

Invites will follow, but for the moment why not mark the date in your Travelbiz diaries (On the way and apologies for the delay).

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A pre-pandemic January’ – John Spollen (Cassidy Travel Director) reports on renewed remand, top tips and travel trends for 2022.

 

Since December, John Spollen has reported a massive surge in bookings. “If the past two years have taught us anything”, he says, “it is the importance of seizing life’s opportunities and savouring every moment of it when we can. Of course, everyone wants to travel, but we all want to do it safely”.

 

“The rebound is happening”, Mr. Spollen comments, “Overseas holiday enquiries and bookings picked up as soon as Ireland’s testing restrictions were eased. So many people are going to say yes to travel this year, bookings for overseas travel are on the increase. We are experiencing a pre-pandemic January! While this is great news for the industry the pent-up demand will have a knock-on effect on availability and prices of both flights and accommodation for the foreseeable future”.

 

With this in mind, Cassidy Travel’s experts have put together some top tips and trends for hopeful holiday-makers this year.

 

Cassidy Travel’s Top Travel Tips & Trends 2022

1. BOOK EARLY! – especially if your travel dates are fixed. With a prediction of 10-15% fewer seats around Europe this year due to demand, it’s never too early to book for this summer.
2. Be Flexible – avoid peak times if possible. Consider going on your summer holiday in May, June or September rather than July or August. Going on a short break? Travel mid-week if you can to avail of the best prices and availability.
3. Check Covid 19 Restrictions in your destination country – as we are all well aware, Covid 19 restrictions can change quickly and often. Keep an eye on your destination documentation requirements also. Most countries still require proof of vaccination/booster or negative PCR/Antigen test results.
4. Make Sure You’re Covered – Travel Insurance is essential! Remember to take out insurance at the same time you book to make sure you’re covered.
5. Passports – If you’re excited to travel in 2022, check your passport expiration date now. If you need to apply for or renew your passport for a 2022 trip, you’ll want to get that application into the passport office ASAP!
6. Book with an ITAA travel agent for increased security.

 

With regards to trends, one of the biggest this year is experiential travel. Cassidy Travel’s expert events and sports teams are reporting increasing popularity in event based holiday bookings. From concert packages like Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, to sporting events such as Formula 1, Six Nations, Golf Masters and Premier League, experiential holidays are definitely on the rise.

• Bucket List Travel – with many people forgoing their holidays over the past 2 years, and consequently having more savings in the bank, luxury and adventure trips are also becoming increasingly popular. Whether it’s a luxury cruise around the Caribbean, a honeymoon in the Maldives or a Kenyan Safari, the Irish have their minds on something extra special in 2022.
• Extended Family Holidays – Cassidy Travel are seeing a lot more multi-generational family holiday bookings as people enjoy time with their families after so much time apart. Villa holidays are perfect for large groups. Cassidy Travel can help you to find your ideal villa in the right destination for you whether you want to experience a new country for the first time or return to an old favourite holiday haunt.
• Check Out New Routes – There are some good flight and hotel deals on new routes from Ireland – and some incentive prices –including Madeira, Sardinia, Santorini, Cyprus, and also Jersey.