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The theme for this year’s Worldchoice conference was ‘making a difference’ and that was evident from the moment we arrived on Friday evening to the conclusion on Sunday morning. The level of interaction, energy and pure delight to be back in ‘full on’ conference mode was so good and testament to the amazing job that Carol Anne O’Neill (Commercial Manger Worldchoice) has done bringing Worldchoice members, trade and media partners back together and do what we do best.
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Marian Benton (Travelbiz) reporting.
In the unique surroundings of the Arrol Suite in the Guinness Storehouse the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority hosted an excellent lunch for the Irish media to introduce us to Ras Al Khaimah, the Nature Emirate. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority Team of Raki Phillips (Chief Executive Officer), Alka Winter (Vice President Destination Marketing & Communications) and Gehan Sidky (Senior Manager Destination PR & Communications) together with Phoebe Irving (Communications Director PRM Global) were our most hospitable hosts.
I65 Travel Centres delegates confirmed for this weekend.
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Retail conference interaction continues this weekend as we look forward to this year’s 17th annual Travel Centres conference. Excitement is growing amongst agent delegates and trade partners alike as Dominic and Bernie Burke bring us back to home of Travel Centres conferences to the beautiful surroundings of the Killashee Hotel and Spa.
This year’s event will be the consortium’s largest conference since 2019 and 165 delegates in total have already registered for the conference which has been reduced to a two-night/one-day gathering. Travel Centres are also delighted to announce that they will be hosting Pat Dawson (ITAA CEO) at the Friday night dinner - yet another indication of the close working relationship that exists between the consortium and the national representative body.
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The Worldchoice conference lived up to all expectations and delivered on all fronts from delegate and trade partner registration, to a beautiful breakfast sponsored by Robbie Smart (Bedsonline) before making our way to the opening address from Carol Anne O’Neill (Commercial Manager Ireland).
Christian Schmelter (INUA Collection of Hotels) welcomed us all to the Fairways hotel, our home for the conference, and brought us though the full portfolio of their properties in Ireland.
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For many of us in the group the Pyramids have been on our Bucket List for a long time. We can’t wait to get there. But first, a quick visit to the Coptic Church of the Virgin Mary (the hanging church) dating back to the 12th century and reputedly built on the ruins of two towers from the fortress of Babylon. Then the short trip to Giza. On the outskirts of Cairo, this complex consists of nine pyramids and the Great Sphinx. The three main pyramids are the Great Pyramid (the Pyramid of Khufu also called Cheops) and the nearby pyramids of his son and grandson Khafre and Menkaure. The Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest and is the only Wonder of the Ancient World to remain largely intact.
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Aer Lingus’ non-stop Manchester - Barbados service took to the skies this week, marking the restart of the carrier’s popular seasonal service to the Caribbean.
The carrier launched its inaugural transatlantic service from Manchester to Barbados in October last year, marked by the departure of the first EI31 flight. Aer Lingus entering the transatlantic market from Manchester was effectively a new concept for the North of England.
Now customers are able to enjoy the high-quality, friendly Aer Lingus service that the airline is known for, with the added convenience of a new non-stop route to the popular Caribbean island.
A year later, the route continues to attract British winter sun holidaymakers thanks to its three times a week service, flying direct from Manchester from 2 November until 30 April, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
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Worldchoice Conference 2022. Making a difference Award Winner.
David Smith received a standing ovation at the Worldchoice Conference awards as he received his award for outstanding trade partner service, support and delivery to all Worldchoice members. David certainly made a difference and continues to do so with all trade partners every day.
On behalf of all here at Travelbiz David, huge congratulations and well deserved.
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Graham Hennessy and the Dosomethingdifferent team scooped up another major industry award last week winning Holiday Essentials Supplier of the Year at the SPAA Awards in Glasgow!
Graham and the entire Dosomethingdifferent.com team would like to thank everyone that voted for them.
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Travel Counsellors from around the world, will come together en-masse for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Taking place this Friday 11th November the three-day conference event in Liverpool, will have an emphasis on sustainability.
More than 1,600 delegates are expected at the ACC Liverpool over the weekend, where single-use plastics will be banned. Other pledges include a commitment to producing zero landfill waste and to operating the event on a carbon-neutral basis by offsetting output from the gathering through global sustainability projects.
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Another standing ovation at the Worldchoice Conference awards in the Fairways hotel in Dundalk as Strand Travel Worldchoice in Waterford won the Worldchoice Agent of The Year Award 2022! Thomas, Derek and all the Strand Travel team accepted their award and made a special tribute to the late, great and sorely missed Tom O’Donohoe. This one is for you Tom on behalf of all at Strand Travel and Yvonne and all the O’Donohoe Travel team in Gorey.
Congratulations Thomas and all the team at Strand Travel from team Travelbiz.
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Celebrity Cruises’ EMEA chief, Jo Rzymowska, recognised as one of the world’s best role models.
Travelbiz is delighted to share the news that one of our very dear industry friends Jo Rzymowska has been named in the Outstanding Top 100 LGBT+ Executives Role Models List, and not only that, achieved a top 20 spot coming in at number 11!
This is an incredible achievement for all the work Jo has done across her career, driving for equality and inclusion for all, both within Celebrity Cruises and across the wider travel industry.
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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd hosted a great evening at The Ivy in Dublin on November 9th to advertise their business plans for 2023 and ‘24. The Jonathan Swift room in The Ivy was jammed with cruise enthusiasts eager to learn the news updates from Royal Caribbean. A lively presentation by Stuart Byron (Director of Sales UK & Ireland) and our own Jennifer Callister was informative and exciting in content. The infectious enthusiasm of Michelle (ma belle!) Ryan adds to the interest as she recounts her personal experiences on board several Royal Caribbean ships.
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Carol Anne O’Neill and Worldchoice members making a Difference.
Worldchoice Conference 2022 Networking by day and celebrating at night makes all the time we missed together alright.
No words required… The pictures tell the story of ‘Making a difference’
Represented in Ireland by Catherine Grennell Whyte (ATTS), EL AL Israel Airlines will launch nonstop flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv starting 26 March.
EL AL announced the opening of new route at the WTM exhibition, the largest tourism exhibition in Europe that opened in London and Travelbiz was there to hear the great news.
The first flight is expected to depart from Tel Aviv on the 26 March 2023. EL AL plans to operate 3 flights weekly flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv, launching the first nonstop service between the two counties.
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Jade Berry (PR and events Manager Celebrity Cruises) and Chloe Cook (PR Executive EMEA Celebrity Cruises) made Don's night in London all the more special by making a beautiful green effort to welcome Travelbiz as their Irish media partner to the Celebrity Cruises celebration in the Serpentine, North Gallery, where Jo Rzymowska (Vice President & Managing Director EMEA Celebrity Cruises) announced the wonderful news that Celebrity Apex will be homeporting from Southampton in 2024!
Passengers urged to leave ‘flip flops’ at home if they want to avoid ‘hefty fine’
Credit - UK Express newspaper
Passengers are urged to double-check their luggage before jetting abroad this winter as some unexpected items may be banned in their destination country.
Overseas property experts at YourOverseasHome.com revealed the weirdest and most surprising items that are banned when travelling to some countries around the world, including baby walkers, chewing gum and flip flops.
In Singapore, for instance, it is against the law to import and sell chewing gum since 1992, when the law was implemented in an attempt to improve the cleanliness of the country.