The ITAA Conference 2025 – Our People Our Future

Start as you mean to continue. The beautiful location of Center of Portugal was a good start and the success just grew from there. This year’s theme was based on the core value of people remaining at the heart of travel agent’s work. It was heartwarming and apt to see delegates thronging to the Conference venue to connect with colleagues both home and abroad and catch up on all things travel.

Apart from excellent networking opportunities, the Conference content is invaluable for agents to engage with key issues facing the industry. In the programme, the chosen speakers are experts in their field and offer great insight into their specific product. This year, we heard from travel agents, airlines, legal eagles, insurance companies, marketing gurus and tax experts. The content was very relevant. It was interesting, educational and even emotional!

Clare Dunne (CEO ITAA) with her tireless team Jean & Patricia brought the event together in a seamless fashion. Our President, Tom Randles, provided a warm and welcoming address and set the tone perfectly. He alluded to the lovely similarities between Ireland and Portugal – mentality, sense of humour, warmth of personality, love of good food and wine and stunning landscapes which attract many Irish holidaymakers, some even to consider Portugal as their 2nd home. Clare Dunne reiterated Tom’s comments and we all basked in the glorious surrounds of the wonderful room in Montebelo Monastero with atmospheric lighting and gorgeous floral displays.

Eoghan Corry as our Moderator was fabulous, as always. He can fluidly switch from English to fluent Irish, is articulate, engaging and intelligent. He asks the right questions, can riposte with the best and is even known to burst into song!

Presentations included Caroline Quigley selling us opera, music and cultural holidays; Danny Waine from Travel Nomads regaled us in AI matters; Ricardo Dinis educated us on TAP AirPortugal; Cristian Mueller advised us on the evolving landscape of airline retailing (Who Am I, and if so, how many?); Ann Dolan gave expert legal advice and relevance in EU legislation; Claire Doherty from Travel Department explained their hugely popular product and sustainable travel; Martic Skelly on Camino holidays; Olwen Mc Kinney (Amadeus) and Trish O’Leary (Sabre) aiding the technical end; Carrie Day from Riviera apprised us of the ITAA Benevolent Fund; Daniela Cintra told us about her Marketing Machine and Dave O’Brien gave us a lesson in tax issues.

The panel of Maura Fahy (Fahy Travel), Jenny Rafter (Aer Lingus), and Aoife Deasy (Frosch) held a lively discussion on increasing communication with airlines and an agent group call with Ciara Mooney (Freedom Travel) and Caroline Quigley agreed with updating the data base and investigating alternative technology options.

Conference content ended with John Galligan and Paul Sexton talking from the heart of their recent individual experiences within the travel industry and of their (extremely difficult and heart searching) decisions to bow out. There was hardly a dry eye in the house!

Finally, sincere and full gratitude to Carlos Pinto de Olivera (Director of Visit Portugal in Ireland) for his super presentation which simply emphasised his love for his splendid country, showing the benefits of touring remote regions, verdant vineyards, fabulous food options, nature tracks and trails, Nazare waves, Camino, Fatima, music festivals and literature. Carlos, take huge pride in a brilliant conference which showcased beautiful Center of Portugal.

Travelbiz wishes to thank the incredible efforts of Clare and the ITAA team; Carlos and the wonderful Joao Quaresma from Visit Portugal and the super staff of TAP AirPortugal, Cindy and Ricardo. We must also mention the musical talents of Hugh Bruton and the dulcet tones of Paul Sexton, Sara Black, Tom Randles, Eoghan Corry, Jim Tobin and more! Here’s to 2026. Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo aris.