ITIA Awards Winners
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm The event was organised on behalf of the ITAA by Business Exhibitions Limited with headline sponsor MSC Cruises. Award categories were sponsored by MSC Cruises, Dublin Airport, Germany Tourist Office, Spanish Tourist Office, Shannon Airport, Princess Cruises, Cork Airport, APT Travel Marvel, McCarthy Insurance Group, Hertz, Royal Caribbean International and Emirates. The event is also sponsored by Mediahuis.
Excellence in Cruise Category - Sponsored by German National Tourist Office
Main Stream Cruise Line of the Year: Royal Caribbean
Premium Cruise Line of the Year: Celebrity Cruises
Ultra Luxury Cruise Line of the Year: Silver Sea Cruises
River Cruise Line of the Year: Uniworld Cruises
Iconic interview with Jennifer Callister
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm Jennifer Callister (Royal Caribbean International Head of Ireland) took time out of her very busy schedule last week to catch up with Don and bring you all up to speed on all things Royal Caribbean.
Jenny said, “We’re seeing a very positive start to 2023 based on the last few years and are confident that the business will have a year of growth ahead. We’re continuing to see strength in the consumer market with strong pricing, accelerated bookings, and strong onboard revenue spend prior to sailing and while onboard. The number of travellers considering a cruise is the highest it has been in two years and nearing pre-pandemic levels”.
“We’re noticing fly cruise packages continue to be popular amongst our consumer base which is why we’re working even closer with travel agents to leverage our ATOL licence by offering charters to take travellers to our ships”.
Emirates Agent Appreciation Lunch at the Ivy
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm Airline of the Year - Best long-haul airline originating from Ireland: Emirates
Airline of the Year - Best Business Class: Emirates
Celebrating their very recent Irish Travel Industry Awards, new Country Manager for the airline in Ireland, Thani Al Ansari, welcomed the trade this week at the Emirates trade appreciation lunch in Dublin’s Ivy restaurant. Along with Anita Thomas and Filippo Rocchi, the Emirates team thanked the trade for their amazing support as we tucked into a beautiful lunch with fine wines and bubbles to celebrate the day.
Travelbiz would like to thank Thani, Anita, Filippo and all the amazing Emirates team in Ireland for their trade support and look forward to a record breaking 2023.
Irish Industry Shines
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm Holiday World Dublin opened its doors to the trade and public last weekend and our Industry celebrated in style at the Irish Travel Industry awards. Last week’s activity at Holiday world and the reconnection, celebration and support achieved at the Irish Travel Industry Awards confirms that we are all back on track and 2023 looks like it’s going to be a record breaking year for all in our sector.
ITIA Awards Winners
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm Emma Smart accepted the award for her late and much-loved Husband Robbie on the night for our ‘On the Road Hero’ which will always carry Robbie’s name. A fantastic tribute and very special way to remember Robbie.
Cassidy Travel was crowned ITAA Travel Agency of the Year 2023 with over ten employees, whilst Travel Escapes was named as the ITAA Travel Agency of the Year 2023 with under ten employees. Another big win was for Club Travel who won ITAA Corporate Travel Agency of the Year.
Travelbiz at the South Africa Tourism media lunch
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm Declan Mescall (Features Editor Travelbiz.ie) reports from the South Africa Tourism lunch.
South African Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Ms J.Yolisa Maya presided over a media lunch hosted by Rachel Lewis of South African Tourism. Samantha Cuthbert and Gina Scott Barber (SAT) also attended. Ambassador Maya welcomed guests and encouraged everyone to enjoy all that South Africa offers Irish visitors. Rachel Lewis stated that Ireland is one of the best performing countries for visitors to SA and has almost reached pre-pandemic levels already, way ahead of many other markets, which proves Ireland’s love of this very popular long-haul destination.
A gala Performance. Cinderella went to the ball with Prince Charming.
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm The long awaited 2023 ITIA Awards evening took place in the iconic Mansion House on 26 January where the night exploded with excitement. The travel industry was ready to party! The atmosphere was electric and the mood euphoric. Glittering table settings, romantic candlelight and shimmering chandeliers set the scene for a night to remember. Pat Dawson (ITAA CEO) and the tireless Jean and Lorraine, Kathryn and Laura (Limelight Communications), Eoghan Corry (marvellous MC for the evening) and Paul Hackett (ITAA President) all played their part to ensure a fantastic night of revelry for the travel agents, tour operators, airlines, cruise specialists and suppliers who jammed the room. Holiday World, where Maria, Shane, Maureen and Edmund and Paulette bring the world to our doorstep, was starting the following morning but did not deter travel personnel from having a wonderful evening. Love for travel was in the air and it was good to be back!
United Airlines love their 2023 Travelbiz Diary
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm Don popped into to see Martina and Massimo from United Airlines with their 2023 Travelbiz Diaries. Great to see the crew and love the developing Scottish accents. Lots planned for 2023 so stay tuned to Travelbiz for all the Buzz from United Airlines.
There is a very limited stock of Diaries remaining. You can order by emailing diary@travelbiz.ie with your full name and postal code today.
Greek National Tourist Office Trade & Media Dinner
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm Greece is the word with features editor Declan Mescall.
On the occasion of the Greek National Tourist Office (GNTO) exhibiting at the Dublin Holiday World Show, Eleni Skarveli (Director GNTO UK & Ireland) hosted a sumptuous dinner on Friday 27th January for key Irish travel trade and travel media at Bang Restaurant in Dublin City Centre. The invited Irish trade and media, including Declan Mescall (Features Editor Travelbiz), were joined by GNTO partners and destinations from the regions of Crete, Thessaloniki Crete, Halkidiki, and Central Macedonia . Everyone was treated to a wonderful meal by Bang’s Greek chef. 2023 sees Greece with its largest delegation at the Holiday World Show.
More To Explore in Malta in 2023!
3rd February 2023 at 1:40 pm Don Shearer (Travelbiz) caught up with Tolene van der Merwe (Director Malta Tourism Ireland & UK) at Holiday world last weekend. Ireland continues to go from strength to strength with direct flights from Dublin and Shannon and passenger numbers will exceed pre covid targets for 2023! Tolene had a very clear message for the trade in Ireland.
“Whatever you’re looking for in a holiday, a trip to the Maltese Islands is an unmissable experience for any type of traveller. With so much to see and do, whether you’re a history buff, a night owl, a thrill seeker, or simply a rambler wishing to be amazed by natural splendour, the list of things to do in Malta is endless”.
Just a three and a half hour flight away, you can fly directly to Malta from Dublin or Shannon Airport with Ryanair. You can also book your holiday through a tour operator such as Sunway Travel, Budget Travel and Cassidy Travel along with any Travel agent in Ireland.