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DENMARK THE AGE OF AQUARIUMS JAMAICA CLEO MURPHY AT JAPEX AUSTRALIA IRISH TOURISM GROWS Chicago my kind of town
Miami in summer
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USA issue What your clients should know about America 2013
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Agents bite back Angry response to “travel agent is dead’ claim
T
ravel agents have rushed to defend their role in the holiday industry in the wake of comments by a major internet executive who visited Ireland last month. “Travel agents will die because they don’t have good information anymore,” Jeremy Wertheimer Vice President of Travel at Google told the aviation conference organized by CAPA, the Centre for Aviation Conference in the Ritz Carlton in Powerscourt last month. Pat Dawson, CEO of the Irish Travel Agents Association says that the agent will be around for many years to come “as they can provide factual information and first hand advise on all travel products.” “As have been proved in the past what you read on Google is not always unbiased not always factual and many supplies advertising travel products have no protection for the consumer.” “Google is a money making machine and by the time the consumer get through all the information they are more confused that when they started out.” Stats show that it takes on average over 5 hours to read all the information on any given holiday package on Google ,but again where are Google when consumer monies disappear – this is a big problem.” David Speakman, founder of Travel Counsellors, speaking at the group’s Irish conference in Cork said the success of Travel Counsellors showed that there was a future for agents who offered an alternative model to direct sell.
TURKEY is the latest country to introduce online visas, ending the infamous queue at the visa counter at immigration in Ataturk and other airports. It costs €15 and applicants need a minimum 6-month-valid passport, flight (or any other possible means of transportation) reservation and a credit card (Master or Visa). It replaces “sticker” and “stamp-type” visas formerly issued at the border crossing and can be applied for at www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. INSIGHT Vacations is offering travellers up to 7.5pc off selected 2013/14 Winter Europe tours when they book and pay in full by July 10. Previous clients can take a further 5pc off with the Frequent Traveller Discount. Departures commence in November 2013 and continue until April 2014, to Italy, Spain, Portugal, The Alps and Central Europe, Morocco, Greece, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Israel. VAN GOGH Museum in Amsterdam has reopened with an exhibition, Van Gogh at work, that runs until January 12 2014 and presents the discoveries of an eight-year research programme. Through paint samples, microscopes and X-ray photographs, the exhibition delivers new insights on how Van Gogh learned his craft, from his first experimental drawings to his famous later paintings, CHINA‘s government is to ease restric-
Agency sales are not all about reps and buses. Inste: Jeremy Wertheimer Vice President of Travel at Google “Our management responsibility says we don’t go online. We are delivering a high level personalised service looking after their customers differently. There are very few companies that say that the future belongs to the independent agent who builds a fantastic relationship with their customers.” “You will find good travel agents throughout the sector but there are a lot of travel agents who are badly trained and believe it is just about price, and that is why they go out of
WINTER SUN NEW
NEWS
business.” “With travel counsellors you can’t book on the website. Our message is: we won’t transact with you we relate to you. You can go and find what best fit you as a person. Other people use technology to put the customer in direct contact with the ability to transact. We use technology in a different way: to put the customer in touch with the travel counselor. We introduce the relationship.”
ON SALE NOW
tions on travel to Tibet although there is confusion as to exactly what the new regulations entail. A ban on almost all foreign travellers to the region, imposed last June, seems to have been lifted.
CSO figures show trips abroad by Irish residents were 1.209m in the first three months of the year, down 1.8pc AMSTERDAM’s Rijksmuseum reopened following a 10-year refurbishment SCOTTISH Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said Scotland had 2.2m overseas tourists down 125,000 spend £1.4bn from £1.5bn, US down to 414,000 from 436,000. SOUTH AFRICA reports 10.2pc growth in international visitors in 2012, more than double the global growth of 4pc
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THE KNOWLEDGE Travel Extra Advertising & Subscriptions 6 Sandyford Office Park Dublin 18 (+3531) 2913708 Fax (+3531) 2957417
CONTENTS
3-7 News Where to go, how much to pay 6 Hotels: Westin’s digital detox 7 Jamaica: Japex 2013 8 Postcards: Fam trips near and far 10 Australia: Tourism Exchange
Editorial Office Clownings Straffan Co Kildare Managing Editor: Gerry O’Hare gerry@travelextra.ie Editor: Eoghan Corry eoghan.corry@ travelextra.ie Publisher: Edmund Hourican Sales Director: Maureen Ledwith maureen@bizex.ie Accounts and Advertising: Maria Sinnott maria@bizex.ie Picture Editor: Charlie Collins pix@travelextra.ie Chief Subeditor: Ida Milne ida@travelextra.ie Chief Features Writer: Anne Cadwallader anne@travelextra.ie Contributors : Eanna Brophy eanna@travelextra.ie Marie Carberry marie@travelextra.ie Carmel Higgins carmel@travelextra.ie Cauvery Madhavan cauvery@travelextra.ie Sean Mannion sean@grafacai.ie Ida Milne ida@travelextra.ie Catherine Murphy cathmurph@yahoo.com Cleo Murphy cleo@travelextra.ie
Travel Extra takes no responsibility for errors and omissions. Distribution Manager: Shane Hourican shane@bizex.ie Origination: Typeform
Printer: WG Baird Limited Caulside Drive Greystone Rd Antrim BT41 2RS Contact 01-2957418 if you have difficulty getting Travel Extra.
www.travelextra.info
W
12 Copenhagen: New aquarium 16 USA: New York’s neighbourhoods 18 USA: Miami advice 19 USA: Chicago 16 USA: Civil war battlefields 23 Philadelphia: Commercial feature 28 Rivercruise: What’s new 2013
34 Afloat: Royal’s new class 36 Flying: Air Canada goes year round 41 Travel Counsellors: Conference 42 Global Village Travelport game changer 44 Window seat: Our columnists 45 Pictures: Out and about
Uncle Sam’s sums
hile everyone is complaining about new airline fees, the hidden charge has moved into the hotel industry Last year, US hotels took in a record $1.75bn in ancillary charges, up from $550m in 2002. Though not the preserve of the Americans, extra charges seem to develop and expand at a faster rate on the other side of the Atlantic than in Europe. Roger Dow of the US Travel Association told Travel Extra during a press conference at Pow Wow 2012 in Los Angeles that his thinking on excess charges is that the market will prevail and tourists will avoid the resorts that impose excessive surcharges. Customers call them hidden charges, hoteliers call them profit points. No longer are expensive telephone systems a profit point as cell phones and internet services such as Viber and Skype make them redundant. We are not just talking about the gratuity dance that takes pace for every service in a US hotel by underpaid employees. In some cities, employees are not paid at all and required to subsist on gratuities. Even if the employees are paid the legal minimum wage, the US tax system expects them to be earning a substantial stipend in tips, effectively asking the hotel or restaurant guest to pay the wages of the employees. Older fees were more straightforward. Use the phone, the mini-bar, room service, or the in-room
bear. The norm is $10 a day but can be up to $30 an hour in certain five star hotels. An anomaly is that the higher grade the htoel the more likely it is to charge for wifi. Small family run hotels and motels are less likely to charge for wifi. One Hyatt Travel Extra has encountered charges $20/day whilst guests could find free WiFi at the window from adjacent coffee houses.
BACK EMPTY: A new
A place to shop in Boston movies, and it's going to cost. Nowadays the game is much more about wi-fi charges
PARKING This is an old an enduring gripe. Valet parking has been mandatory in many hotels since the mid noughties (that is if they know you have a rental car, some customers simply avoiding declaring it) and it can be as much as $50 a night, a notorious fee charged in San Francisco. You then have to tip the valet guy $2 for the trouble of brining you back your car. PACKAGES
Has someone sent you a delivery? It can cost you $5 for the hotel to accept a package delivered to
your room.
DAILYResort charge
rates can reach $25 plus taxes per night per room in some hotels. The charges have been extended to cover services that would be regarded as the norm among many people’s holiday expectations, things like towels and showers as well as services that many guests would be unlikely to require. A typical list of services covered by the resort charge in one hotel is: local, toll-free, and credit card calls. Internet access, coffee and tea, nightly turndown service, use of the spa, access to self parking facilities.
SAFE: Some hotels
are charging for having a safe in your room even if it’s not used. You can hardy demand that the safe be removed form your room either.
AIRCON: With higher energy bills, hotels are charging up to $80 a day for turning the air conditioning on in your room. MINIBAR: You
don’t have to consume anything from your mini bar to be charged for using it anymore, you get charged from minibars with sensors that bill guests if they move something around. Hotels then charge a “restocking fee.”
WIFI
An old bug-
development for 2013 has been the requirement from certain car rental companies that the car is returned empty, instead of the old out full, back full system. The idea is that the car rental company will do you “a favour” by allowing you to return the car empty, then hit you with a massive surcharge for the fuel costs. The traditional model for car hire is that the vehicle is expected to be returned with same amount of fuel as when it was picked up: usually “out full, back full”, occasionally “out empty, back empty”. With competition between rental companies intensifying, many firms have moved to an “out full, back empty” rule with customers paying inflated rates for petrol or diesel that they may not be able to use. Some contracts commit customers to paying an unavoidable charge with no refunds, with no idea how much the charge may be. This month Travel Extra’s ed-
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Disney’s long 20
Anniversary celebrations extended until September
D
isney hosted 26 Irish among 600 travel agents from 15 different countries at Disneyland Paris to experience the 20th anniversary celebrations. Celebrations have been extended until September 30th. The group was made up of invitees from Abbey Travel and Breakaway. They visited both Disney Parks: Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. Some of the attractions in the Walt Disney Studio’s Park, the normally queue-prone Crushes Coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, were reserved for agents during the event. Alan Neenan Managing Director Breakaway.ie said “we all know in the travel trade that seeing products in person is by far the best way to attain product knowledge.” Irish agents extended their stay to become Disney “Magic Makers,” participating in a day and a half sales philosophy train-
BOUTIQUE Journeys is offerings six Slow Food itineraries, featuring meals at eateries selected to bring regionally sourced recipes and local ambience to their tours. Clients can meet cooks, chefs, farmers, shepherds, cheesemakers, butchers, bakers and winemakers. Boutique Journeys’ Slow Food itineraries are concentrated in France and Italy. BLACKPOOL Pleasure Beach has opened the Wallace & Gromit Thrill-o-Matic ride. Suitable for families, it takes you on a journey through their films, from the Wrong Trousers to the Curse of the Were-Rabbit CLICKANDGO.com said that sun holidays can be up to €140 cheaper per person if you fly from Belfast instead of Dublin
irish agents on the Disney fam triop to Paris ing programme. Aer Lingus supported part of the group with flights from both Dublin and Cork allowing for a nationwide invitation list. At Charles De Gaulle Aer Lingus
arrive at Terminal 1 which allows for an easy VEA transfer bus to Disneyland Paris. Some of the members of the Abbey Travel group travelled with Air France into Terminal 2E.
Faster, easier rentals from the name you can trust. Contact our dedicated Travel Trade team on 053 915 2500 or email Paul Manning at pmanning@hertz.ie or Shauna Mullery at smullery@hertz.ie Ryan’s Investments - Hertz International Franchisee
NEWS
© 2013 The Hertz Corporation
1STS is offering weekend passes to Electric Picnic for agents who book any Insight Vacations, Uniworld, Contiki or Boutique Journeys holiday and send their reference number .1STS will also be holding random draws and giving away festival gifts. The winner will receive 2 passes for the weekend in camping accommodation. 1sts@1sts.ie VIRGIN Atlantic chief Richard Branson
has said over-zealous government warnings could be doing exactly what militants want by devastating the tourism industries and economies of the countries affected.
hertz.ie
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JUNE 2013 PAGE 6
OVERNIGHTS
HASTINGS Hotels has appointed Northern Ireland’s first ever female head concierge, Colleen Grant, at its four-star Slieve Donard resort in Newcastle. GRESHAM
Hotel opened Ireland’s largest hotel suite, the Eisenhower Suite which sleeps 10 guests in five bedrooms, with chandeliers by Waterford Crystal, rainfall showers and Jacuzzis spread across the six bathrooms, two separate living rooms, a cloakroom, a dining room, kitchenette and fully stocked bar, and a private landscaped terrace that can accommodate up to 60 people. A full butler service is also available.
MTT APP Dublin based mobile travel technology provider Mobile Travel Technologies has launched a same-day mobile booking app, Eleventh Hour Hotels, which it says offers hotel chains the first white-label alternative to the last-minute booking apps which force hotels to comply with OTA terms and conditions and other specialist same-day booking apps.
MEYRICK Meyrick Hotel Galway bought by Gerry Barrett for €70m in 2006 was reported to be worth €7.8m in 2011
BERLIN A new Generator Hostel opens in Berlin's Mitte district with dorm beds from
€10.50, a café and ping-pong tables in the 24-
DRUIDS Richard Collins of Druids Glen reported the hotel’s most profitable year.
hour lounge
Westin a place for a digital detox
Westin unwind
Dublin hotel chosen among places for digital detox
T
he Westin in Dublin is one of an increasing number of hotels are offering tech-free options according to price comparison site Trivago.com. The Westin Dublin launched its digital detox package to help guests combat their increased
Some day, air travel may be this good.
dependency on electronic devices. Partakers must stash their electronic devices in a safe, in exchange for a “detox survival kit”. This includes a board game, walking map and treeplanting kit, amongst other electronic-free amusements. Inside the hotel there is plenty to distract guests from their devices, including the popular Mint Bar and the impressive Atrium Lounge, boasting a fivestorey glass ceiling showcasing a canopy of stars at night time. The digital detox holi-
day is one of the global trends during 2013. Digital detox refers to a process by which travellers attempt to disconnect from technology by surrendering their mobile phones, laptops and tablets on check-in at their hotel. Some hotels offer techfree guest rooms, or designate specific areas for device-free relaxation. To distract guests from their gadgets, hotels may offer packages containing traditional activities, such as board games or walking maps of the surrounding area.
The idea is that holidaymakers can completely disconnect from any stresses associated with their devices and their life back home, allowing them to relax and enjoy their holiday. Other hotels selectedby Trivago include Grand Cayman Marriott in Cayman Islands; Echo Valley in Cariboo, Canada; Palm Island in the Grenadines; Kimpton Monaco in Chicago; Four Seasons at Peninsula in Papagayo, Costa Rica; Renaissance in Pittsburgh, and JW Marriott in Cancun.
EUROPEAN HOTEL PRICE INDEX €225 €152 €122 €102 €80
A new era in coach travel: Now bigger, more comfortable and free Wi-Fi on-board
Geneva
Rome
Cannes
Cologne
Leipzig
€204
€140
€120
€101
€78
Venice
Copenhagen
Hamburg
Turin
Granada
€180
€138
€119
€100
€76
Oslo
City
City
Marseilles
Malaga
€178
€137
€115
€95
€75
London
Florence
Dublin
Budapest
€172
€135
Frankfurt Nice
€94
€73
Psris
City
€113
Lisbon
€171
€133
Edinburgh
€92
Athens Valencia
Amsterdam
City
€111
Berlin
€70
€163
€131
Manchester Salzburg
€90
Budapest Riga
Stockholm
City
Introducing a whole new departure in travel: the new Expressway fleet is ready for take-off. With free Wi-Fi, extra legroom and charging points for personal electronics, this makes how you travel intercity an easy choice. No expensive tolls. No rising fuel prices. No hassle with parking.
€168
€129
Milan
Barcelona
€158
€128
Just frequent services connecting Ireland’s main cities and towns all day long, and you can work, rest and play while you’re getting there.
Munich
Brussels
€158
€123
Istanbul
Vienna
Some day, air travel may be this good.
€110
Madrid Toulouse
Liverpool Prague
€86
Warsaw
Dresden
€64
€85
Sofia
Glasgow
€59
€81
Zaragoza
€109 Seville
€103 Lyon
Bilbao
€69
Source: Trivago.co.uk
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JUNE 2013 PAGE 7
Cleo Murphy reports
Connection question Cleo Murphy reports from Jamaican Product Exchange
F
or a brief period in the 1980s, Jamaica was a big hit on the Irish market because of a direct flight from Shannon to Montego Bay with Russian airline Aeroflot, which was using Shannon as a refueling stop. John Lynch, director of the Jamaican Tourist Board worked with Sandals and remembers the influx of Irish honeymooners in particular. These days the Caribbean Island struggles to make impact here. Recession, high prices, safety concerns, airlift frequency and competition from the Dominican Republic all create a challenging environment. Nonetheless, Jamaican wedding facility Hummingbird Hall was voted Wedding Supplier Abroad Facilitator of the Year 2012 by the weddingsonline.ie site. Speaking to Travel Extra at JAPEX, Tourism and Entertainment Minister Wykeham McNeill acknowledged the perception that the island has a crime problem. “We do have a problem in certain areas,” he said. “However, crime against visitors is almost negligible so it’s not a problem for visitors other than that it effects their perception. “This sometimes causes them to remain on resort during their holidays even though all our surveys show that getting out to see our waterfalls,
P
PLANTATION HOUSES
History and culture in these parts is all about sugar cane, slavery and plantation houses. Many of the great houses are open to visitors. Greenwood Great House is now owned by Jamaican Bob Betton and his New Zealand wife Anne. It contains an wonderful collection of antique furniture as well as some nasty memorabilia from the slavery years. Rose Hall Great House has its own ghost in
ONLINE training for travel agents selling Jamaica will be introduced in October. The Jamaica Tourist Board is currently piloting the initiative with Canadian travel agents. WEDDING venue Hummingbird Hall in Jamaica was voted Wedding Supplier Abroad in Ireland’s 2012 weddingsonline.ie awards. For those looking to develop the market, the Jamaica Bridal Expo will take place in October 2013 in Montego Bay. BEACHES in Negril has been listed among the best hotels in the world for families in the Tripadvisor readers choice charts. Tripadvisor rated Cavallino Bianco Grand Hotel in Ortisei in Italy as the best hotel in the world for families, followed by Club Med Ixtapa Pacific in Mexico with Beaches in Negril rated in tenrth place. TV promotion of Jamaica is on the way. Footage is currently being shot for a worldwide TV campaign but slots and channels have yet to be decided.
Travel Extra’s Cleo Murphy speaking to Jamaican tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill at Japex 2013 in Montego Bay eat at our jerk stops and drink our Red Stripe beer is the best experience. Law enforcement is tackling the actual crime problem and we are tackling the perception problem.” Alisha Fuller of Hummingbird Hall says the best weapon in tackling the perception is positive review and she gives her clients opportunity to review their wedding on the website www.hummingbirdhall.com Minister McNeill has also been tackling the arrivals experience for tourists. When he came into office in January 2012, he set up the Airport Enhancement Committee, compris-
ing representatives of his department, the tourist board and the airport authority. Technology now ensures that immigration queues are moving more rapidly and users of Club Mobay, the airport lounge, can avail of speedier passage through departure queues. At present there are three Virgin flights from London Gatwick to Montego Bay per week, which is lower than the frequency to other Caribbean destinations. Thompson flies twice weekly from Gatwick, once from Birmingham and once from Manchester. A second Manchester flight will be added in 2014
HIGHLIGHTS OF MONTEGO BAY
opstar Bobby Bloom put Montego Bay on the map in 1970 with a global chart-topping song extolling the virtues of Jamaica’s top holiday resort. It was the kind of promotion a tourist board could only dream of and even now it’s hard to get the catchy tune out of your head when you arrive there. Montego Bay has developed somewhat since then but many of its attractions are timeless.
JAPEX 2013
the person of Annie Palmer who murdered three husbands.
was used in the shooting of the James Bond movie ‘Live and Let Die’.
RASTA VILLAGE
SHOPPING
Rastafarianism developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, with followers of the Ethiopian Emporer Haile Selassie believing that he was God or God’s chosen King. The movement was made famous by Bob Marley, a dedicated Rastafari. This village outside Montego Bay is an effort to explain the philosophy and culture of those living the faith. Although some of their own people are less than happy about it being a tourist attraction, it is tastefully and sincerely presented.
SWAMP SAFARI
Located near Falmouth port, the Jamaican Swamp Safari is home to 30 crocodiles and is a must for anyone who loves wildlife – you might even get to see a baby crocodile up close. The swamp was set up by an American, Ross Kananga, in the 1970s. It
Posh shopping in Montego Bay is done at the Rose Hall centre with an array of jewelry shops, plenty of garish clothing designed for the beach and an excellent food outlet selling coffee, marmalades, jerk spices and other culinary souvenirs. There’s also a number of craft markets around the city.
SCOTCHIES
Real Jamaican food is served at the jerk stop Scotchies, which is about at rustic, traditional and tasty as you can get. Fish, chicken or pork can be cooked in the jerk fashion – rubbed with spices and smoked over charcoal wood. Beware of the Scotch bonnet pepper! The meats are served with a variety of fried breads, known as ‘bammy’ and ‘festivals’, and dumplings.
ISLAND Routes pays operators and agents 10% commission on all pre-booked excursions. The company, which is part of the Sandals group, operates throughout the Caribbean with more than 250 tours in its brochures. It can pick up at hotels or from cruise liners. The company is also interested in co-branding on websites which means hosts still get commission even if the client does the booking themselves. HILTON Rose Hall, Jamaica has changed its pricing policy for children. Previously 5-18 year olds were charged US$70 per night but now all under-12s are free and all over-12s are charged full adult rate. GAMING laws are to be relaxed in Jamaica to allow for casinos. Three ‘approved integrated resorts’ will be allowed to facilitate casino gambling and so far six applicants are pitching for the licences. RIU Hotels & Resorts has started building its fifth hotel in Jamaica. The Riu Palace Jamaica will be an exclusive hotel with 238 rooms, reserved for over 18s only, which will open its doors in December 2013. The new hotel is situated next to Riu Montego Bay. More flights are now heading from the EU to Jamaica’s Montego Bay. Condor began flying from Munich in November 2012 while Thompson is planning an additional flight from Manchester in 2014. EMERGING markets are responding well to Jamaica’s decision to ease visa restrictions earlier this year. There has been a rise in passenger numbers from Latin America and Eastern Europe. As a result, Copa has launched a direct flight from Panama, a charter service is operating from the Czech Republic and there is a flight out of Moscow every 10 days. Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Columbia, Venezuela and Panama are all showing a growth in tourist numbers. Tourism to Jamaica experienced 1.8pc growth in 2012.
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POSTCARDS FROM THE TRAVEL SCENE
K
LM hosted what may be the best agents fam trip of the year so far, a six-night agents educational to Kenya last month. The group traveled ,in business class on KLM through Amsterdam, overnighting in Nairobi, spending another night in Lake Nakuru, two nights in the Masai Mara and finishing up with two nights in a hot and humid Mombasa beach before a dramatic return over a
F
ionnuala Carter of the ITAA, pictured above with Kathryn McDonnell of the Spanish Tourist Board, launched the Association’s Skillnet programme at a function in the ITAA offices in Westmoreland Street. The programme commenced last month with a range of coursesbased out of Dublin, Cork and a distance learnbing programme including excel courses, a FETAC Level 5 AccreditedDigital Mar-
A
Delegation of Irish tourism companies combined with Tourism Ireland on a four-day travel trade mission in Mumbai and Delhi Pictures shows (back row): Tim Husbands of Titanic Belfast; Muireann King of Doyle Collection; Marie Richardson of The Gibson Hotel; Annie Rose Deegan of Railtours Ireland; Karen Barret of The Shelbourne; Fion-
delayed ferry crossing to Nairobi airport. Pictured at Mombasa; Antoinette Murphy from O'Callaghan’s, Dundalk, Linda O'Donovan from J Barter, Douglas, Linda Tiernan from Topflight Worldwide, Siobhan Brannigan from Centre Travel, Dundalk, Julie Anne Ryan from, Limerick Travel, Emer McDermott from McDermott Travel, Westport, Teresa Murphy from KLM and Martin Penrose from Topflight.
keting Diploma, Manual Handling First Aid Refresher and Facebook Marketing Webinars Fionnuala says there are more courses on the way, including Train the Trainer, Micro Soft Office, HR Management, Presentation Skills, Sales and Marketing, Customer Services and Social Media. Register your interest for future courses with fionnuala@itaa.ie or at 01 4179696.
nuala Balance of Railtours Ireland; Jim Paul of Tourism Ireland; Indian travel agent ; Peter Brazil of Limerick Travel; Myles Tuthill of Central Hotel; Shuja Bin-Mehdi of VisitBritain; Paula Stephens of The Merchant Hotel of Belfast; Huzan Fraser of Tourism Ireland; Róisín Kirwan Patrick O’Flaherty of Ballynahinch Castle Hotel of Co Galway and Sonali A Kishore of Tourism Ireland.
M
ike Shinnors of Ace Travel (pictured above with Sheila Treacy) won the prize for the most unique outfit at the Sunway and British Airways Oscars Extravaganza at Vanilla night club in Donnybrook. Mary Lyne from Blackpool Travel won the prize for most glamorous lady at what turned out to be a spectacularly successful evening. Other costume winners included John
A
ppropriately, it was in his ancestral homeland that Manuel Butler Halter, CEO of Turespaña the Spanish Tourist board became newly elected president of the European Travel Commission. At a meeting in Dublin he was chosen to succeed Petra Hedorfer of the German Tourist Board. A descendant of the Butlers of Ormond, he hosted breakfast fthe Irish travel trade, not far from the site of
G
raham Hennessy and Maurice Shiels from Topflight hosted Irish travel agents on the Amalfi Coast, bringing them to the towns of Amalfi, Ravella, Maiori, and Sorrento. They stayed at the Hotel Bristol in Sorrento with its famous view over the Bay of Naples towards Vesuvius. The visit included a hydrofoil trip to Capri. Picture shows: Jacqui Topflight Rep Amalfi Coast, George Barter of Barter
McGuill of McGuill Travel for the best lookalike, Juan Cullen of Supersun Travel the sexiest male and Ciara Masterson of Cassidy Travel the best hairstyle. The prize of a holiday in California with BA flights was won by Sarah Williamson of Budget Travel (including a $500 voucher for premium outlets). O’Callaghan Travel of Dundalk won the 1,000 prize for top agency. Kathryn Thomas compered.
the battle of Rathmines where his illustrious ancestor James Butler fought. Picture shows guests at a lunch hosted by the Spanish Embassy the previous day, Martin Skelly of Navan Travel, Gonzalo Ceballos of the Spanish Tourist Board, Clare Dunne President of the ITAA, Spanish Ambassador Javier Garrigues Flórez, Con Horgan of Abbey Travel, Pat Dawson of the ITAA and Ray Scully of Crystal.
Travel, Stephanie Nagle of Limerick Travel, Clodagh Kelleher of Fahy Travel, Graham Hennessy of Topflight, Maurice Shiels of Topflight, Sinead McGrane of Supersun, Claire Farmer of Carefree Travel and Karen Anderson of Cassidy Travel outside the Versace homestead. Topflight charters to Naples continue to the end of the summer season. Topflight also organise tailor-made holidays to Sorrento and Amalfi.
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POSTCARDS FROM THE TRAVEL SCENE
Cathy’s Column
U
nited Airlines and Great Lakes region of the USA hosted agents form the mid west in Limerick to launch United’s new nonstop flight from Shannon to Chicago O’Hare which commences on June 7th. Agents can win a place on the inaugural lfight by making bookings on the new service before May 28. There are eight places to be won on the Fam Trip. Agents can e-mail booked
tickets to: competitions@united.com putting “SNN-ORD Fam Trip” into the subject line. If the ticketing is done by a consolidator, include the United Airlines booking reference number. All qualifying bookings will be entered into a prize draw with eight winners chosen at random. Picture shows the United Airlines team Ciara Devaney, Pat Reede, Aoife Gregg, Yvonne Muldoon and Brian Hughes.
Cathy Burke, General Manager at Travel Counsellors
Food For Thought By the time this month’s issue of Travel Extra goes to print, I will be in Abu Dhabi celebrating the success of our Gold Travel Counsellors. Each year, the top performing Travel Counsellors from around the world are invited on an exclusive educational where we all congratulate them and celebrate their achievements. It’s a really special time for them and for me too. I am particularly proud that out of 48 Travel Counsellors in the Republic of Ireland we have 6 in this top Gold category.
E
lliott Ferguson the President of Washington DC tourism (pictured above with Alicia Malone, and Theresa Belpulsi of Destination DC) came to Dublin to bring news of the latest DC developments. These include a new Capella hotel in Georgetown opened last week, over 4,000 hotel rooms (there are 20,000 in the city and 35,00 in the region already), the largest being the new Marriot Mar-
B
ookabed in conjunction with Virgin Atlantic and the Miami CVB hosted a fam trip in Miami, the first by an accommodation only supplier in the Irish market. The group of 12 travelled over on the Virgin Atlantic A330 from LHR, stayed two nights in Grand Beach Hotel in the North Beach area and the three nights in the downtown area at the b2 Miami Downtown, the Courtyard by Marriott
quee City Centre due in May 2014, a new mixed use development in the city centre, and new hotels around the Baseball Stadium is the south east waterfront area has been rejuvenated. DC also has 40 new restaurants in the pipeline, bringing the total in the city close to 2,000. Ferguson, Yvonne Muldoon and the team hosted 160 agents in Lillie’s Bordello afterwards to celebrate the first year of United’s DC service.
But it’s not all about being the best in the company and being at the top of the league. Although we aim to provide a tailor-made service for our customers, we also pride ourselves on having a personal relationship with our Travel Counsellors and allow them to run their business their way. Therefore we understand that what counts as success is very personal. It’s about each individual being the best that they can be. For some that might be earning enough to treat the family occasionally, or buy something that they have always wanted. Whether it’s earning a little or a lot, it’s a personal choice and it’s about achieving your own personal best, whatever that might be. The company recognises the importance in investing both time and expertise to help Travel Counsellors reach their potential. At our recent Conference in Fota Island Resort, Anthony Iannarino of “The Sales Blog” held a great workshop that challenged us all to believe in ourselves and the value we bring to the customer experience as travel professionals. This was just what we needed to help us take the opportunities that are abundant at the moment. Travel Agents are very busy as Irish people shake off the recession and treat themselves to some sunshine. Our Travel Counsellors always go above and beyond to ensure they deliver the very best customer service; for that I am so proud of each and every one of them!
Miami Downtown and the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Attractions included a full city tour, cruise, visits to Miami Zoo and seaquarium with dolphin swim, Miccosukee Indian Village alligator wrestling and airboat rides, a VIP Interactive Tour at the Children’s Museum, shopping at The Falls, a concert from the Chirino Sisters and Kevin Ceballo, meals in some of Miami’s top hotels and restaurants.
I recently came across this quote from Thomas Edison; “If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves”. Food for thought! Email: cathy.burke@travelcounsellors.com Twitter: @CathyBurke1 or @TC_Ireland Facebook: Ireland Careers @ Travel Counsellors Connect with me on LinkedIn
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PERTH is to open its first new hotel in ten years, Fraser Suites Perth offers five-star, short and long term accommodation with 236 studio, one and two bedroom apartments – all complemented by a range of onsite facilities including restaurant, 24-hour gym, swimming pool and lobby lounge with bar. The Terrace Hotel is a four level $20 million luxury boutique hotel with 15 rooms. Crown Perth will re-brand from Intercontinental Perth Burswood) and Four Points by Sheraton Perth. www.perth.frasershospitality.com; www.terracehotelperth.com.au
SEBEL Pier One Sydney has unveiled seven of the city’s most spectacular over-water suites with views of landmarks including Luna Park, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The hotel’s seven new suites have been designed by Bates Smart Architects and include four Harbour View Balcony Suites which have direct access to private, expansive balconies with Sydney Harbour views. The largest balcony measures 40sq meters . Accor, has signed a partnership agreement with Great Golf Courses of Australia to provide a range of golf itineraries.
CAPTAIN COOK SeaLink Travel
Group Managing Director, Jeff Ellison says the group is investing $3m into Sydney Harbour with the building of a new high speed passenger boat joining Captain Cook Cruise's fleet of 11 vessels. The Rocket will have two passenger levels seating 200 passengers.
PORT MACQUARIE, NSW has
CAIRNS ZOOm the world's first Challenge Ropes Course in a wildlife park, and is now open to the public. Situated in the Cairns Wildlife Dome on the roof of the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, the new attraction consist of 65 elements of crossings and ziplines. opened five new nature attractions.
MELBOURNE Convention Bureau
has expanded its Melbourne Values You program to more than 100 premium hotels, venues and service providers.
QANTASand the NSW Government have announced a million partnership to promote Sydney and regional NSW to the world, aimed at attracting more international visitors.
SUNSHINE Coast Destination Ltd has launched six new tourism trails.
ACCOR has taken over the former Radisson Resort Gold Coast and re-branded the hotel Mercure Gold Coast Resort.
VICTORIA International visitor numbers travelling between the Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula onboard Searoad Ferries has increased by 50% this summer, ■ Eoghan Corry travelled to Australia with Emirates who fly Dublin to Dubai daily at 13.50 and who have 84 weekly connections to five Australian cities Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and a further 14 connections with partners Qantas, as well as connectivity with Qantas domestic network.
ATE MOVES TO CAIRNS IN 2014
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ustralian Tourism Exchange will be held in Cairns next year, the first time the tourism event has moved away from its traditional circuit, of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The 2013 event in Sydney was a shorter, more focussed event than it has been in recent years. The Eastern and western modules which were separated in 2001 were brought back together.
CEO Andrew McEvoy reported a third successive year of tourism growth into Australia with international visitors rising nearly 5pc in the past 12 months. “The world travels to experience difference, we want to showcase our difference.“ China has overtaken Britain and Pacific rim countries are now eight of the ten most important markets into Australia. Increased one stop access is as im-
portant as economics in driving this growth. This was the first ATE since the ground-breaking Qantas-Emirates deal which switched the principle entry point from Singapore to Dubai. McEvoy said that Irish visitors have a high yield and tend to disperse more. Australia will host five Irish travel agents at their trade-only event Corroboree later in the year.
‘Visit Aus anyway’ Australia’s message to 350,000 best job applicants
A
ustralia’s” best jobs in the world” campaign has provided Tourism Australia with an invaluable database of potential young travellers, CEO Andrew McEvoy says. “One of the things we are keen on doing is capturing the database of people. The SEA are working with us to try and convert more of the people who applied into visitors.” Three candidates from Ireland have made it through to the next stage of the competition., Richard Cullen, Allan Dixon and Heber Hanly are amongst 150 candidates from 35 countries still in contention for the six dream jobs: Wildlife Caretaker in South Australia, Chief Funster in New South Wales, Park Ranger in Queensland, Taste Master in Western Australia, Outback Adventurer in Northern Territory and Lifestyle Photographer in Melbourne, Victoria. Andrew McEvoy, Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, said we are looking for great storytellers, someone adventurous, inspiring – a person eager to jump into the role and soak up all Australia has to offer. Applications for the global competition closed on 10 April with more than 600,000 expressions of interest submitted by 350,000 people from
Andrew McEvoy speaking at ATE 2013, (inset) Irish who made the final 150 Richard Cullen, Allan Dixon and Heber Hanly 196 different countries, with successful candidates submitting video entries from as far afield as Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia and Mexico. Applicants were asked to complete a 30 second video explaining why they should get the job. The United States has provided the highest number of short-listed candidates (33) followed by the UK (23), Australia (17), France (17), Canada (8) and Italy (5). Richard and Heber applied for the role of Lifestyle Photographer and Allan for Outback Adventurer. Each short listed applicant will now be asked to provide supporting job references which, if successful, would see them invited to a final assessment in Australia in mid-June, with the six
successful job candidates announced on June 21st. Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition is part of a major international marketing push to promote tourism opportunities provided by Australia’s Working Holiday Maker programme. Ireland has the tenth highest takeup of working visas with 25,827 Working Holiday Visas granted for the 12 month period ending June 2012, up 19pc compared to the same period the previous year. Ireland is the second highest country to apply for the second year of the Working Holiday visa after Britain, up 33.7pc to 3,735 in 2012.
until the end of 2014. The airline operates 25 flights a week to Australia, including twice daily to Sydney and daily to Melbourne. It also code-shares on three weekly Virgin Australia flights to Abu Dhabi.
Etihad also reiterated that it intends to increase its stake in Virgin Australia beyond its existing holding of 9pc, but highlighted that it would have to be ''at the right time''.
ETIHAD: PERTH ROUTE IN 2 YEARS
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tihad says its focus will be on bedding down its operations on routes to Australia over the next two years before it looks to expand services to Perth. Etihad's next big order of new planes is not due to begin to arrive
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‘We can attract 100,000 Irish’ T
ourism Australia MD Andrew McEvoy says that he expects 100,000 Irish visitors to come to Australia each year by the end of the decade. Speaking to Travel Extra at Australian Tourism Exchange in Sydney, he says that Ireland, which is Australia’s 16th biggest inbound market.,Ireland is one of the countries which delivers the highest yield per visitor, the best dispersal and the best seasonality. Visitor numbers from Ireland were 61,300, in 2012 up 8pc from 56,800 in 2011. “The growth last year shows the potential is there. The year before it was bigger than that again. I think we can hit 100,000 visitors from Ireland. I wouldn’t say it will happen immediately but it is a five-year plan. We should be able to sustain, 6-7pc compounding growth out of Ireland over the next five years. Robin Mack, Tourism Australia’s Director of the northern European market, said that a lot of the growth will continue to come from the youth market. “Ireland peaked at 68,000 in terms of numbers in 2008. We are close to getting back to that figure.” McEvoy said: “We are always looking for a bal-
Tourism Australian wants Irish to grow 6-7pc pa
Andrew McEvoy talkiong to Travel Extras editor Eoghan Corry at Australian Tourism Exchange i anced portfolio from a market and Ireland is one of the most balanced of all. That is why we sustain our interest in it. Asia is delivering volume growth for us. Ireland, UK and the Americas give us regional dispersal. “Because the youth travel has been the real driver, I think we have a lifetime value in Ireland that we should capitalise on. “Beyond the growth which we already getting,
which is quite natural, almost economic refugee type stuff, there is such an appeal between the two countries it has a lot more potential.” “Individual markets based on their travel patterns give us better shoulder seasons. The Irish are part of that and so are the Germans and Canadians and the Kiwis. It doesn’t really matter what time of the year, they tend to come anyway. They have peak seasons from Sep-
Clockwise: The Sebel hotel’s stunning new over water suites, ATE business in action, Sydney fireworks at ATE and the closing party
tember on. But they do come at a steady pace. “Those markets give a lot of our regions an opportunity to have visitors when other markets don’t travel.” “I think when the Irish economy returns, which it is starting to, we start getting the 45 plus market again which is more lucrative for us. It is not just a numbers game for us.” He said that one-stop routes through the Middle East, Dubai and Abu
Dhabi, made this sort of growth possible from the Irish market. Emirates now have 98 weekly flights through Dubai to Australian cities, 84 of their own and 14 with Qantas, including a twice daily A380 service to Sydney, a daily Melbourne A380, a daily Adelaide service and a three times daily Perth service. “The move of the Qantas hub from Singapore to Dubai is a big deal be-
E
Dubai and Australia, including five daily A380 flights from June 2nd. This year Emirates introduced a daily Melbourne A380, a daily Adelaide service and a three times daily Perth service. The Emirates A380 is set in a three-class configuration, with 399 seats
cause Qantas has the best domestic network. Emirates is the world’s biggest, most connected airline. When you put those together that is powerful. “ The game changing bit of is the distribution system’s ability in a knowing way to bring bookings together, the whole tie-up, interlining, the GDS, it is a whole big deal. “Etihad too can get more flights to Australia if they fly into another city other than Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney or Perth.” McEvoy feels the onestop routes have helped direct Irish traffic back to the trade rather than independent bookings. He said Tourism Australia would do everything they do in the Irish market through the trade. He said that is where the growth is and that especially where they will get the high yield growth, the over 45 market they are seeking. “The trade is essential to us. Globally 62pc of our inbound tourism comes through the trade, we need an intermediary, through the ash cloud the consumer learned they need someone to share the risk with them. In Ireland we pretty much won’t do anything without the trade alongside us.”
EMIRATES SYDNEY A380 GOES DOUBLE DAILY
mirates early morning service from Sydney to Dubai will be operated by an A380 from June 2nd – the second daily A380 for Sydney passengers, an increase in capacity of 1,890 seats per week from Dubai. Emirates will offer 98 weekly services between
in Economy Class on the lower level and 76 fully flat-bed, mini-pods in Business Class and 14 First Class Private Suites on the upper level. Emirates premium featured include on board showers for passengers travelling in the First class cabin.
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DESTINATION DENMARK
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t Europe’s newest aquarium even the roof leaks style. The top deck of Den Blå Planet (the Blue Planet) is a Scandinavian wonder. They tell me it resembles a whirlpool when seen from above form the flight path of the nearby airport. Even from ground level it is impressive. Before you have left the metro station (one stop from the airport) you can see why Europe’s newest aquarium is making, ahem, a splash in the Champions league of European fishbowls. Biologist Anders Kofoeb brought us on a behind the scenes tour on which visitors can touch a giant starfish. “Check before you put your hands in all the tanks,” says Anders, “you have the possibility of being killed.”
H
e was joking of course. The tanks at Den Blå Planet are brimful of menagerie, not menace. “We are afraid of what we don’t know,” Anders whispers. “Our biggest role is to make it known. Because what we know we tend to care for. “When we think about sharks, we think about primitive killing machines. Here at Blå Planet are trying to tell a different story. “We are persuading some of our sharks to come and say hi to our guests. We have a special tour up here and you can try to touch the shark, and
Tanks for the memories Eoghan Corry dives into Copenhagen
Ocean tank at Den Blå Planet you learn that what your really is.” Anders told us how an aquarium can help conquer peoples’ fears of the ocean. “Visitors must leave the aquarium happier - if they are wiser that is a plus.” “A shark’s deepest desire is not to kill you. Most sharks never ever kill you. What you have is five or six species that ruin it for the rest of them. You can get a deeper understanding of what the sharks really are. You can see they are animals like the rest of us. “We are training our sharks and we would like all our sharks in the long run to come to the visitor. We are proud of this.” It offers 1.5m gallons of displays, and 20,000 animals in 450 species,
■ Den Blå Planet Copenhagen, 1.5m gallons, 20,000 animals in 450 species, great piranhha collection and hammer ■ head sharks. Dubai. 33,000 animals in an underwater zoo, where you can explore three different kinds of ecosystems ■ Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, USA). 7.1m gallons of marine and fresh water, 120,000 animals of 500 different species. ■ Lisbon Oceanario (Lisbon, Portugal)
3,000 of which came from the old aquarium and 17,000 were sourced elsewhere. It is particularly proud of its collection of hammer head sharks, and a rare sea dragons which cost 8,500 each to buy from other breeders. They have a massive piranha tank. “We started with 3,000 piranhas,” Anders says. “We don’t know how many we have now. Those guys can eat their brothers.” The aquarium opened on March 22nd. It is not the bigger than Lisbon Oceanario, although both Valencia Oceanografic and its near neighbour Nordsøen Oceanarium are bigger, as are the American giants in Atlanta and Chicago.
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ong a city where people went for the mood, Copenhagen is now a place people go for the food. The standard bearer of the culinary revolution is Noma but there are dozens of others. Not many of us have the patience to book six months in advance or the budget to go to Noma. Equally flavoursome and wholesome pickings are on offer at many of the city’s 2,000 restaurants. We chose to go tradi-
tional. Peder Oxe Restaurant opened in 1975, quickly earned a eputaiont form its salatbord, and was named (is this a first?) for the country’s 16th century finance minister. Think of the Michael Noonan happy meal and wonder how weird that sounds. It is still furnished in 1970s pastels, brown door frames, and a quirky switch so you can make the light over your table go green to let them know you are ready to order. It is a good place to see
■ Aer Lingus flies six times weekly from Dublin to Copenhagen. One-way fares start from €52.99. For more information on great fares and schedules, please visit www.aerlingus.com ■ See www.visitdenmark.co.uk and www.visitcopenhagen.com ■ For the Copenhagen card see www.visitcopenhagen.com/book-your-stay/copenhagen-card Hotel 71 Nyhavn is at www.71nyhavnhotel.com and www.arp-hansen.com
THE STORY OF THE AGE OF AQUARIUMS
1.1m gallons, 16,000 animals in 450 species, ■ Lisbon Oceanarium 1.2m gallons, 160,000 individuals of 450 species in 4 biotypes, each recreating one of the world’s coastal habitats ■ Monterey Bay, 1.4m gallons of wager, 35,000 animals in 623 separate named species on display ■ New England Aquarium (Boston, USA) 600,000 gallons, 20,000 animals in 600 species
the Danish open sandwich in action in al its grandeur. The menu is like a customer feedback slip and offers a multiplechoice selection from which you chose three sandwiches. Make sure you remember who ordered what and in which order, especially after the 7.1pc Elephant beer by Jacobsen or the Evil Twin Pale Ale. If you don’t want to go indoors the hot dogs rimilede with crispy onions on top is as authentic as you will get.
■ Nordsøen Oceanarium iun Hirtshals, north Jutland, Denmark 1m gallons,, 12 different habitats from the North Sea - from the sandy bottom by the jetties to the muddy seafloor ■ Okinawa Churaumi in southern Japan, 4.6m gallons, 20,000 animals in 740 species, four floors, with tanks containing deep sea creatures, sharks, coral and tropical fish. ■ Osaka Kaiyukan, 1.2m gallons 29,000 animals in 470 species, in sev-
eral habitats. Visitors could enjoy creatures as if they were playing in the sea. ■ Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, USA) 4.2m gallons, 32,667 marine animals in 1,500 species ■ Valencia, Oceanografic 9.2m gallons, 45,000 animals in 500 species with 9 underwater towers, serving home to some animals like sharks, dolphins, sea lions and penguins. Built in two levels, these towers represent the major ecosystems of the earth.
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DESTINATION DENMARK was completed in 1999 and has become a Danish icon - located on the harbour edge, its sleek, tilted design interacts beautifully with the play of light on the water.
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uby's bar under the Georgian embassy enjoys a reputation as one of the best in the world but it is a place for cocktails, not the famous Danish beer. The sunset over the Baltic Sea is the backdrop as we sample the swinging rides at Tivoli Park which had reopened for the summer on the day of our visit. A classic travel writer incident at nearby Brdr Price restaurant. A Norwegian group arrive before us and were given the best meal in the house. They then looked at our group in dismay as we arrived. They coped well. The best bar in the city? Set your standards with Floss and see if you can do better. Kathrine Lind Gustavussen of Visitdenmark and the irrepressible Henrik Thierlein of Wonderful Copenhagen were our hosts as we sampled. Heinrik showed us the one bedroom hotel that is due to open this summer and brought us to sample more great Copenhagen beer (they don’t just do Carlsberg, they have 50 micro breweries and some great commercial beer. Try the delicious if costly Mikkeller at Lidkoeb Bar, the latest contender for Best Bar In Town and a branch of Ruby’s.
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Tivoli at dusk
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openhageners are quite anarchistic,” our cycle guide Bo Andresen of copenhagen-tours.dk, warned us as we took to the streets on two wheels. The caution was timely. Bicycles came from all angles and the cycle paths were crowded as we pedaled through streets and parks past the landmarks There are 3,500 km of cycle lanes in Copenhagen. Even the narrowest and busiest streets have lanes and cycle-specific traffic lights. It is one of Europe’s easiest cities to cycle but
the constant ringing of bells behind you show that even mild mannered cyclists can turn into road-rage eats when the traffic gets tough. Cycling the city is not without its challenges. Some of the city’s finest squares have been reduced to rubble by the construction of the metro and will remain in a heap for five years more, but there is lots to see. Our tour began in the tiny island of Slotsholmen is at the heart of Copenhagen, literally and metaphorically, so it provides a natural jumping-off point for a tour of the city.
It was here in 1167, that the Archbishop of Roskilde - the Danish capital at the time - initiated the building of a castle to protect the local herring fishers from pirates. Bishop Absalon's fortress has long since been destroyed and the primary building on the island is now Christiansborg, which houses the parliament, the high court and the prime minister's office. The current rather austere granite structure is the third of that name. The original palace, like much fo the city, was
commissioned in 1730 by King Christian VI, but both it and its successor were destroyed by fire. We pass the long, low structure of the old stock exchange looks more Hans Christian Andersen than Wall Street, its green copper roof is topped with a spire made of four intertwined dragons' tails. It was built on the water so that the “stock" could be unloaded into the building's basement ready for sale. The glittering black granite and glass structure known locally as the "Black Diamond," extension to the Royal Library
o see it at its best, take to the water. Pedestrianised Gammel Strand is one of the embarkation points for the city's famous canal tours. on one of the elegant DFDS boats. Copenhagen is seen at its best from the water, but the boats themselves are a far cry from the usual battered tourist traps with blaring recorded commentaries. Wide, flat-bottomed and shallow enough to fit under the lowest of bridges (mind your head), these open-topped wooden vessels are equally at home winding through narrow canals as they are bouncing across the open water. Drool over the expensive glass and wood apartments at the north end of the island of Christianhavn; admie the soaring lines of the new opera house and wonder why everyone makes such a fuss about the Little Mermaid, who has her back to the water and is so small as to be barely noticeable if it weren't for the busloads of tourists taking pictures. There are plenty of breaks to enjoy the stunning scenery in peace and quiet.
Clockwise: Anders Kofoeb and starfish, the metro from the airport, Amazonias at Den Blå Planet, Travel Extra editor Eoghan Corry tasting Aalborg Taffel Akvavit with Maria Neilsen in the Peder Oxe restaurant, and Christian Yssing, CEO Dorte Gleie and biologist Anders Kofoeb at Den Blå Planet
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DESTINATION DENMARK
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trØget (pronounced "stroll") is a series of pedestrianised streets which winds north-west across the centre of Copenhagen. The ubiquitous global brands are well-represented but follow the locals to Illum Bolighus (royalshopping.com), a five-storey emporium showcasing the very best in local and international home design. Clean lines, bright colours and wild textures are the order of the day, but be warned that the prices match the trendy exterior. If you are on a budget, stick to the elegant kitchenware department on the ground floor, or head off down a side street and search out an up-and-coming designer's base or one of the many second-hand shops.
B
uilt in 1671, the narrow canal of Nyhavn the "New Harbour" was once the focus of Denmark's maritime trade, and the surrounding streets were the haunt of polyglot sailors and prostitutes. With the advent of container ships in the 1960s the shipping traffic was transferred to the new port to the north of the city, and Nyhavn has since become one of the trendiest areas in Copenhagen. The tall, brightly
Canal view at Nyhavn painted buildings on the north side of the canal now house a succession of smart cafés and restaurants with prices to match. Sit outside and soak up the sun with a chilled glass of Danish beer while enjoying the view of weather-beaten wooden boats and bustling tourists. Don't be put off by the weather, all the cafés and hotels provide umbrellas, heaters and blankets when it rains. Our home was the Nyhaven 71, almost at the end of the pier, shoehorned magnificently into an old warehouse, where residents breakfast on cold meats, sausages and ikea-bright eggs, the tables shiny and black with coffee pots strategically
pre-positioned on each one, in a room with low ceilings and barred windows.
O
nly freedom is holy” declares the sign as you enter one of the strangest anomalies in Europe on the north-west corner of Christianhavn, the "free state" of Christiania. Back in 1971, a mixed bag of hippies, activists and the homeless started to move into a disused military base and set up an alternative community. They espoused anarchist ideals, refused to pay Danish taxes and set up their own micro-governments - and, remarkably, they're still there more than 40 years later. The survival of Christiania has been hotly de-
bated in mainstream Danish society over the intervening years, but the general population now seems to have settled for a somewhat bemused acceptance of, and even pride in, its home-grown social experiment. The main focus of the area is the infamous Pusherstreet, but wander off to either side and you'll find yourself in a rural idyll of leafy lanes, blooming gardens and ramshackle, brightly painted wooden homes. Menacing no-photograph signs bookend the entrances to its hashishmarket. Cannabis is indeed widely available although hard drugs are strictly forbidden. It is Copenhagen’s third most popular tourist attraction nowadays. Vis-
itors come simply to soak up the relaxed atmosphere and "drop out" for an evening in the bars and restaurants.
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he relaunched Copenhagen Card now provides free entry into 75 museums and unrestricted travel on the metro. It is a tad expensive, with prices ranging from 40 for 24 hours to 71 for 72 hours. A personal favourite is the Statens Museum for Kunst. When I wandered I was reminded of the great Charles Yelverton O’Connor quote: “I am always suspicious of curators, imprisoning things and putting labels on them.” The Statens Museum is the Christiania of art is an anomaly, a collection
long determined by the random interests of the Royal family rather than curatorial consensus. They have their iconic works (Munch “workers on their way home”), but they have their own unique selling point: this is the best place in Europe to catch up on the myriad forgotten but once fashionable movements, most spectaculary trompe l'oeil. This is the gallery where I first encountered Cornelius Gijsbrechts, a modernistic painter who was 300 years ahead of his time. His work is still here along with several exhibitions that hit you with the ferocity of mindaltering drugs. They had a great exhibition on Wilhelm Freddie and Salmonsen’s thesis that all modern art is based on insanity. He might have said that about tourism as well.
W
hich airport offers the easiest journey to a European capital city? The ride to Copenhagen city centre is 14 minutes by metro. Flight EI 627 home is at a great time, 8.20pm, to get a full day for the city. I often wonder why Aer Lingus do not schedule more of their return flights for the late evening.
Clockwise: Anders Kofoeb and starfish, diver cleaning a tank at Den Blå Planet, bicycles parked in the street, piranhas at Den Blå Planet and Henrik Thierlein of Wonderful Copenhagen
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DESTINATION USA
KENNEDY Space Centre’s $100m AtlantisSM attraction which is set to open June 29, has started unwrapping Atlantis orbiter from protective shrink wrap
VIP DINE4LESS Card has launched in New York The card offers discounts up to 20pc off the entire food portion of the bill for up to 4 people at some of the finest restaurants in New York City with unlimited usage for up to 30 days. The card is also valid for with Hornblower dinner cruises as well as a choice of six City Food Tours. For a list of participating restaurants www.dine4lesscard.com BEACON Hotel in New York has opened its new bar. Offeirng notable wines, unique beers and inventive cocktails along with a light menu. The Beacon Bar also offers espresso, cappuccino, coffee and a selection of teas, all served by a warm, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Becon’s Tom Travers has long been a big supporter of the Irish travel trade. TRANSFORMERS: The Ride –
3D will officially open at Universal Orlando Resort on Thursday 20th June 2013, Universal have launched an all-new “Join the Resistance” Facebook experience to prepare fans for the battle they’ll experience on the mega-attraction. “Recruits” can create their very own NEST IDs, train for battle and access exclusive photos and video.
APPLE CORE Hotels as it officially
re-launched Broadway @ Times Square Hotel in New York on Wednesday (1 May). I’ve attached a couple of pics and included details below, along with a great May rate of 86pppn which includes free breakfast, wi-fi, national calls and free stays for kids aged 12 and under.
NEW YORK Scheduled to open in
2015, the observation deck on the 102nd floor at the new One World Trade Center building will first feature a ground-level video to visitors while they queue up to take the elevator ride to the viewing venue of the building, which overlooks the site of the Twin Towers
ORLANDO Walt Disney World Resort
plans to transform Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, doubling the number of shops, restaurants and other venues. Construction is scheduled to begin in April and continue into 2016. The lakefront and spring will remain as the focal point of four outdoor neighborhoods of shopping, dining and entertainment.
HOLLYWOOD CityPASS has expanded its discounted attraction offerings to include: Starline Movie Star’s Homes Tour or CitySightseeing Hop-on, Hop-off Multilingual City Tour, Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood, Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour, Dolby Theatre Guided Tour or The Hollywood Museum. The new program will run through Feb. 28, 2014 PHILADELPHIA The ice axe that
killed Leon Trotsky, a German ENIGMA machine and never-before-seen artifacts from the CIA, make up the Spy: The Secret World of Espionage exhibition at the Franklin Institute, May 4-October 6 at 222 N. 20th Street.
See what lies on the other side of the bridge
Meet the neighbours New York points extra tourists to cheaper locations
N
ew York is moving to promote more tourism to its neighborhoods. The city’s Mayor, Michael Bloomberg and its tourism and marketing agency, New York City & Co., have begun promoting not just the other four boroughs in the city: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and State Island—but its individual neighborhoods as well. In launching the promotion, Neighborhood X Neighborhood, Bloomberg took note of the fact that more than 70 hotels have been built in the city in recent years—outside of Manhattan. The first neighborhoods featured are Bushwick, Fort Greene and Williamsburg, all in Brooklyn, cho-
sen because of their easy access to public. This was followed by ower Manhattan is home to the financial center of the United States and includes the neighborhoods south of Chambers Street such as the Financial District and Battery Park City. According to the Downtown Alliance more than 9m tourists already visit Lower Manhattan to see the New York Stock Exchange, walk down Wall Street and visit the 9/11 Memorial. Bloomberg says “the neighborhood is also a great place to shop, dine, stay and explore. Lower Manhattan is easily reachable by over 12 subway lines and the PATH trains, making it one of the City’s most accessible neighborhoods
for both visitors and locals to enjoy. The city is hoping that advertising "cheaper" neighborhoods will attract those tourists who currently see New York as too expensive for them. New York's tourism offices in cities around the world will feature a new neighborhood each month, highlighting its restaurants, hotels, attractions and transportation, as well as their sights and energy. The campaign is also part of a larger effort by the city to encourage tourists to leave Manhattan and explore areas beyond Times Square, Broadway and the Financial Center, helping to spread tourism spending dollars and encourage repeat visits.
ANTARCTICA COMES TO FLORIDA
S
eaworld Parks s has commenced its biggest expansion to date across all parks with the opening of Antarctica Empire of the Penguinat SeaWorld Orlando due to openon May 24th.
According to SeaWorld this is “more than just a new ride, the new "realm" will be the coldest theme park attraction in the world and include a variety of new experiences for guests. A state-of-the-art inter-
active ride will take guests on a journey through the dangers and beauty of the Antarctic as they follow and mimic a young penguin's adventures. Additionally, the new area will include a new
penguin habitat that will bring guests closer than ever to a colony of penguins, a gift shop and a new dining concept featuring market-style, international food.
page 017 07/05/2013 11:10 Page 1
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Page 018 Chicago 07/05/2013 11:11 Page 1
JUNE 2013 PAGE 18
DESTINATION USA
L
akescape. They don’t really have a word for it, as other American cities obsess about their marina or their bay or their harbour, Chicago obsesses about its lake. The lake turns up in songs, placenames, pictures, and hard boiled crime tales. Its cooling wind comes from the water (windy was originally a deprecation aimed at the over-inflated notions of the city’s importance). In winter the wind chill filled the windy city, in summer it is the freshwater air. Chicago obsesses about other things as well, its role in the world order or (more importantly) the American order, the “city of the big shoulders” of Carl Sandburg, the “toddlin' town” of the 1920s tune, Leibling’s “second city” in the middle of the last century, a juibe at its provincialism adopted as a badge of honour,“ my kind of town” for Frank Sinatra. It likes being competitive the tallest building in the world project that has left it with the Willis tower, currently eighth tallest (and still proud of it), the first sky scraper, the architectural initiatives that created the first sky scraper and the oftquoted Frank Lloyd Wright conclusion that “eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world.” And now it is competing for tourists, with more extra services from Ireland this summer than anywhere except New York. hat will they find there? First off, the grid system along Lake Michigan makes Chicago is an easy city to explore on foot. A good place to start
W
My kind of town
Eoghan Corry in the windy city View form the Sears Tower your tour is the south end of Michigan Avenue, Chicago's busiest and liveliest street. The ubiquitous global brands are well-represented but there is a strong local flavour. For a true celebration of architecture, art and the outdoors, head north on Michigan Avenue to the 24-acre Millennium Park. The park opened in 2004 after six years of construction, and is characterised by various monumental sculptures. At Crown Fountain, the faces of a thousand Chicagoans are displayed in rotation on 15m towers, with their mouths spurting water. Most stunning of all is the 110-tonne stainless steel sculpture Cloud Gate, designed by British artist Anish Kapoor to reflect the city's people, skyline and clouds. Next stray into the Art Institute of Chicago museum. At this location since 1893, the Art Institute museum is one of the city's most beautiful buildings, and houses a world-famous collection of Impressionist and
American art. As you enter the first things you will notice are the two bronze lions, sculpted by Edward Kemeys, which flank the main entrance. Inside, the highlights of the vast collection include Monet's Houses of Parliament and Water Lilies, Picasso's The Old Guitarist, Toulouse-Lautrec's At the Moulin Rouge, and Wood's American Gothic. They have launched a new app with suggested tours, by category or timescale or one simply entitled “impress your friends.”
T
he Drake Hotel has been Chicago’s icon of style and luxury since 1920. A long-time favourite destination of dignitaries and celebrities, the Drake's sumptuous interior of royal blue, gold and rich red carpet adds a traditional, old-world feel. The bar is t=one of the best you wil find on the seven continents. Sip afternoon tea and
■ Eoghan Corry travelled to Chicago with Aer Lingus who are increasing their service in summer 2013 (EI123 at 1:25 & EI125 at 15:45) www.aerlingus.com. He was hosted by Choose Chicago. www.choosechicago.com Chicago will be host city for International Pow Wow 2014
listen to live harp music in the Palm Court, a beautifully decorated room characterised by a large floral arrangement atop a limestone fountain. No trip to Chciago is complete without a slice of the casserole-like deep-dish pizza, which requires a knife and fork to tuck into. The deep dish was invented here in 1943 and has been associated with the city since. It will take around 30-45 minutes for your deep-dish pie to arrive, and do not be surprised if you feel completely full after your first gooey piece. Try them at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.. They have a chain of restaurants throughout the city, growing form the first opened at Lincolnwood on St Patrick’s Day in 1971. For a really authentic experience, forget the new menu's more creative pizza toppings and choose from old favourites cheese, sausage or pepperoni.
F
or a truly unforgettable view of C h i c a g o ' s sparkling city lights, visit the reigning king of the Magnificent Mile, the
John Hancock Center. A defining feature of the Chicago skyline since 1969, the tower is located at 875 Michigan Avenue. For the best view, skip the observatory deck and instead take the ear-popping elevator ride up to the 95th-floor Signature Room. Here you can enjoy gourmet fare and cocktails while taking in a breathtaking view of the city and several surrounding states from 337m up (request a window table). If you haven't time or budget for a full dinner, check out the lunch buffet for the experience of eating at cloud level.
G
o to the Wilis Tower to walk on glass. The glass deck on the 103rd floor is safe as a house, or more likely safe as a 1,451-foot tall house. Randy Stancik first came up with the idea of a glass deck on viewing floor of the Willis Tower twelve years ago. He didn’t tell this bosses what was happening until the designs were complete. Since the deck was installed, visitor numbers have gone from 1.1m to
1.6m a year at Willis, formerly the Sears Tower. Just under 20pc of these are from overseas. They have revamped the queue system, upgraded the turned the old Sears office cafeteria into a 7,500 square foot gift store, where you can buy Lego models of the towers. If you have visited the Sears, forget the old experience and come to the Willis to renew the experience. Randy talks about the glass deck and his beloved tower like a father about a particularly overgrown child..
N
o matter which you way you turn, there is no escaping that lake. Winter or summer, Chicago knows and cherishes its waterfront and uses it to create a unique atmosphere. It has 17 miles of beaches and in the alltoo-short summer it exploits them. According to Warren Wilkinson of Chose Chicago, “the cityscape is unique. Water has such an influence on the city it has to be encountered close-up to appreciate it.” The most beautiful great city left? Probably.
page 015 07/05/2013 11:07 Page 1
Welcome
to BEACH NIRVANA
Situated on a sun-drenched peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg/Clearwater offers 35 miles of award-winning, spectacular white-sand beaches that will satisfy anyone with a pair of flip-flops and a desire to turn relaxation into an art form.
A
mong the highest rated are Fort De Soto Park, an adventure-packed family-friendly getaway with activities galore, and beautiful Caladesi Island, a pristine barrier island accessible only by boat or ferry.
unpredictable—as you want it to be.
Perhaps start with Mediterranean-flavoured St. Petersburg, which averages 361 days of sunshine a year and is home to the world-famous Dalí Museum, which boasts the most The truth is, in St. Petersburg/Clearwater no two beaches feel comprehensive collection of the Spanish surrealist’s works outside of Spain. Or head to artsy Gulfport, where galleries, exactly the same. In between Fort De Soto and Caladesi shops and restaurants occupy Old Florida bungalows and the Island you’ll find sun-soaked beach treasures of every type including quaint Pass-a-Grille, perfect for catching sunsets or yearly Gecko-fest celebrates the town’s independent spirit. End the day at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach, where bustling hot spots like Clearwater Beach, where “see and be musicians, jugglers and other colourful characters gather seen” is an all-day activity. daily to celebrate the sheer beauty of a Gulf sunset. Those venturing beyond the beach will find a stunning Experience a getaway where unique and rewarding collection of recreational and cultural surprises sprinkled possibilities abound. Couples or families—there’s something among the area’s 26 communities, each offering a distinct for everyone. Where the beach is the thing but certainly not charm, feel and heritage. From the picturesque Greek the only thing! Located just 90 minutes from Orlando and 30 sponge fishing town of Tarpon Springs to the Scottish-tinged minutes from Tampa and Busch Gardens. n village of Dunedin, where Highland Games are an annual tradition, your itinerary can be as varied—and
Contact number 00 44 208 339 6121 • Website www.visitstpeteclearwater.com • Facebook www.facebook.com/visitstpeteclearwater
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JUNE 2013 PAGE 20
DESTINATION USA
T
he American civil war may have killed more Irish than any other conflict in history. A hundred and fifty years ago the news from across the Atlantic, arriving like a dull thud with every ship berthing in Queenstown, affected every village in Ireland. For the past two years of the war the anniversaries have been lined up like cannon fire, starting with Fort Sumter in Charleston (Apr 12 2011) and they will continue until May 2015. Commemorating this war is stadium-history. You cannot get near Gettysburg for the anniversary of the battle this July, one of two that effectively decided the course of the war and American history (the other was Antietam). The anniversaries have an upside – the most obscure battlefields are spruced up and ready for visitors. Like the war itself, the tourist encounter with this exhausting, enchanting and menacing conflict sprawls across thousands of miles of territory and more than a dozen states. When time is limited, where do you start? Where do you finish? A summer of anniversaries had already begun when I found the answer to both questions. started on United Airlines daily flight to Washington DC. Washington is where the
I
Battle stations Eoghan Corry goes to Richmond in searh of the Civil war Schoolchildren at Pamplin learn about how the American Civil war came to an end 149 years ago paraphernalia of victory is assembled in stone on almost every city block. There are different ways of seeing the monuments in DC. All of them are designed to come to a climax with the big one to Daniel Day Lewis, or Abe Lincoln as they call him over there.. My favourite method of mulling monuments is by bicycle, with the local company Bike and Roll (www.bikethesites.com ). But I took a walking tour as well. Each tour guide has a repertoire of anecdotes, unique and entrancing in their won way.
UNITED AIRLINES
non-stop service from Dublin to its Washington, D.C. hub, Dulles International Airport is operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft featuring 169 seats www.united.com or call 1890 925 252. ■ Fare (Low Season): €696 including tax for travel outbound 05Jan - 24JUN and 23AUG - 17DEC ■ Fare (Peak Season): €899 including tax for travel outbound 25JUN 22AUG ■ Minimum/Maximum Stay: Saturday night / 12 months. ■ Change fee €120/ No refund after ticketing/ instant purchase ■ 16 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst
You cannot get enough of them. I also tried the walking tour with tour guide Eddie Sielenski. You won’t get a better account of the Lincoln assassination that Eddie’s. When I asked him if there were any monuments to the Confederate side in Washington, he answered: you have to go to Richmond for that. So I arranged another trip and did. I picked up a Hertz car in the airport and headed south. The drive does snot take long. It is astonishing that the two sides in the mega-
■ 45 in Economy Plus offering up to 6 inches more legroom than standard Economy, providing up to 37 inches of legroom in total ■ 108 in United Economy ■ All Economy and Economy Plus seats on flights from Ireland offer seat back on-demand entertainment plus a complimentary hot meal service. ■ Extra legroom seats may be purchased when checking in online at united.com or during the check-in process at the airport. Prices start from $99 per sector per person. ■ Customers with Premier status in MileagePlus frequent flier program will enjoy complimentary access to Economy Plus seats when available.
conflict chose their capitals to be two hours apart. That means the major battlefields were all in a small tight area where the armies fought for each other’s capitals. More than half the casualties fo the war were within a hundred mile radius of here. The roadsigns are redolent of blood and murdering canon’s roar. You can visit the hose where Stonewall Jackson stayed before he died at the hands of his owon army, perhaps the most spectacular casualty of friendly fire in history. You can visit sites and spots with hardcore history buffs and re-enactors in expensive uniforms. But to understand what happened and why the legacy of the American Civil war is still so strong today, it is to Richmond Virginia you must go.
M
ark Greenough gives a fascinating tour of the White House of the Confederacy. He will take you to the room where Robert E Lee was told he would head up the army of Virginia (not yet the Confederate army). The only statue that was sculpted from life of George Washington is in the lobby. Robert E Lee, I was surprised to learn, was related to Washington through marriage. The fight that the southerners were engaging was, in their eyes, a re-enactment of its own, of Washington’s fight to establish the first government in modern history that devolved its power from the bottom up. The White House of the Confederacy, where President Jefferson Davis lived, is a short walk away, and a short and thought-provoking tour.
H
istory is usually written by winners. In Richmond it was written by the losers. Their monuments to the war of Northern Aggression, as it was once called, glorified the failed military and political leadership with an enthusiasm that matches and indeed surpasses the Union monuments in Washington. In recent years Arthur Ashe has been added to the pantheon, in a spectacular and somewhat confusing balancing act. The storyline told here by the civil war museums are no longer as shrill as when they were first conceived, cheer-leading for the confederacy so their unpublicized perspective might be acknowledged. It is as if they have become more comfortable with their place in the new USA. For something less shrill I went to the Civil
■ Eoghan Corry travelled to Virginia courtesy of Destination DC, Captial Region USA and Richmond CVB. ■ He stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, 501 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219, USA. It is in a central location within walking distance of the majro visitor attractions, with imaginative breakfast options and lobby bar. ■ Car hire was proivded by hertiz, major supporters of the travel trade. Call Paul Manning and the team at353 53 915 2556 Ferrybank, Wexford www.hertz.com
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JUNE 2013 PAGE 21
DESTINATION USA war centre at Tendregar. Here they tend for an industrial legacy, the engine room of the war where the guns and cannon were manufactured, which kept the Confederacy at war for far longer than anyone expected. One surprise: the exhibition here, smaller and less brash than those at the Confederacy, has something I did not expect in Richmond. This museum here tells it like it is, there was one cause to the war and that was slavery. That is as blunt as it gets herearound. Elsewhere across the south when they storyboard the civil war, you have to wade through some special pleading, economic arguments, the autonomy of states and a confusing (to the foreigner) debate about westward expansion of the USA, all held up as alternative causes for the war. But each of them is less than a chain-length away from slavery. Randy Klemm, guides me through the rooms and tells me about Mary Ryan. When an explosion devastated the munitions factory in July 1863 (another anniversary due soon) , it was Tipoerary Mary who was blamed. She died in the explosion, so she was a convenient scapegoat. A local actress is currently re-enacting her role, answering the
The quiet spot in the forest where Confederate America’s bearna baol was stormed questions of eighthgraders on school tours. I tell Randy there is a pattern here, Mary Ryan, Catherine O’Leary’s cow, Typhoid Mary Mallon: if in doubt, blame the Irish.
A
nother surprise. The librarian who guides me through some of the collection of documents in the Civil war archive attached to the Museum of the Confederacy is an African-American, Theresa Roane. “Here are a few of my favourite things,” she tells me. The documents displayed by Theresa and Sam Craighead are stunning, a map used by Robert E Lee in the seven
day campaign, a letter stained with blood from a dying soldier to his father at home, a trading document in which the southerners traded tobacco for munitions, that were given them by northerners which would then be used against themselves. Then as now, war is a crazy business.
F
or the most interesting battlefield of all, go to Pamplin, outside Petersburg less than an hour south of Richmond on the 95. This is where it ended, the battle of the Breakthrough, April 1 1865. The place is, for all the world, like one of the pleasant leafy forest parks
you get all over the USA. There are walking trails among the overgrown banks and ditches, dug by soldiers and still carrying their civil war contours. Some have been reconstructed to look as they
did on that murdering spring day. At one small gap in the undistinguished bank they tell you how the first union soldiers, from Massachusetts, broke through. The blood of Irish fer-
tilised the rich undergrowth in each direction. That evening after his lines were broken, Robert E Lee told Confederate President Jefferson Davis to evacuate Richmond. The industrial engineroom of the south had fallen. The game was over. Lincoln came to visit the white house of the confederacy, a week before he himself was shot. Lee surrendered eight days later. Some soldiers fought on for eight weeks, but at that little spot with the embankments still standing, you know you are at the exact spot where it ended. Or so we thought. Maybe it did not end after all. After 150 years the best thing is go west to judge for yourself .
I’m for walking through the gates to the United States. By walking through the gates of Shannon Airport, you can fly to all kinds of great places with 33 direct flights to America, with services to Boston, Newark, New York and also Chicago and Philadelphia during the summer. With the added convenience of US pre-clearance before you travel, it’s easier than ever to do business from Shannon with your customers.
I’m for Shannon
Sir Terry Wogan, Broadcaster
Paraphenalia of battle: reconsturcted fortifications at Pamplin, Theresa Roane shows Travel Extra editor Eoghan Corry a map used by Robert E lee, Tredegar where Mary Ryan worked and confederate re-enactors
shannonairport.com
Page 022 Miami 07/05/2013 11:15 Page 1
JUNE 2013 PAGE 22
DESTINATION USA
Miami Mia Eoghan Corry finds Miami nice Familiar seascape: Blame Don Johnson
F
or a sense of how far Miami has come in the past two decades, think back to the 1983 movie Scarface. The opening sequence was a cavalcade of decayed grandeur. Somebody in Miami must have looked at the fading Art Deco buildings and said we need to do something. Art deco provides the midriff to the swashbuckling new Miami. The seafront buildings have all been restored to make them look gleaming and new, like this was the 1920s again. The implausibly blue water and jet-set speed boat foam, all familiar from our TV screens, now has a gentrified art deco finish. Scrubbed and cleaned in white marble, the new Miami looks older every year. Miami was transformed in the 1980s into the sort of place all of us like to escape to. It was transformed, not by the guys who fill planes with tourists or design holiday brochures, but by the movie and TV companies.
I
n a city where history happens on screen, tone hotel has more than its share than any. The curving seafront is the USP of the Fontainebleau, strategi-
cally product-placed on dozens of movies including one of the Sean Connery James Bonds and Scarface, its $1bn refurbishment which started with the opening of the 37-storey Fontainebleau Suites tower in 2005, picturesque views from soaring windows, makes sure it can compete with the best on offer elsewhere. Fontainebleau is home to the trendiest night club in Miami, Liv, which grosses $40m a year, long queues of wannabes seeking admission at the whim of a doorman. Over a bottle of Santa Rica 2009 Pinot Noir Darragh Moore from Swords describes the regeneration of the city even since he has arrived. His restaurant is a magnet for ostentation. The five course tasting menu with Opus wines costs $295. Darragh doesn’t mind. He has increased the restaurant’s revenue from $7.5m to $9m in a year. Kobi beef costs $30 an ounce, he once sold 120 ounces in one night. We avoided the kobi (a previous encounter with it at Prime One contributed to a bill of $4,500), and started with a cold appetiser, lobster salad and octopus cooked on the grill followed by local snapper and Hawaiian butter fish. Nothing exceeds like excess, as the line goes from Scarface.
T
o get a sense of proportion, and a sense of place, stray away from the causeway and the skyline. Frank Shena from Miami Magic City Tours brought us through the highlights of the city and its hinterland, South Beach, the self-consciously arty Wynwood Design District, Little Havana with its angry exile rum and cigar culture, elderly men sitting around playing at the tables in the Maximo Gomzez Park domino club, the planned parklands of whitewashed Coral Gables, South Miami, Coconut Grove, and the Downtown. Downtown Miami was not a place where walking was advised when I first saw the city in the 1980s. In all my visits to the city I have never ventured into those mean streets. But then Miami Vice became Miami Nice virtually overnight. They haven’t quite resorted Flager St to its 1920s glory but they are working on it. Better again, the elevated light rail system is entirely free, bringing people through the downtown in air conditioned comfort. The financial centre which did not have a single resident ten years ago is filled with locals traipsing through the bijou restaurants.
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t the river mouth they have put up a monument to the original owners for the land, the Tequesta Indians. Apparently it is still regarded as a sacred site but you would not find anything spiritual here along the shoreline the developers have come to play. “Unless you could dive into the sea from your balcony they would build another building between you and the sea,” Danny Costello, a second generation Tipperary man who
runs cruises on the Island Queen tells me. The cityscape recedes in the balmy heat and there are clouds gathering overhead. At the News Café the tuna teriyaki and shrimp stir fry ($18.95) taste Miami nice. We sat in the spring sunlight watching our movie set go by. Which movie? Not Scarface, Scooby Doo. In the late evening we made a break for somewhere to view the heartbeat of the city, the veins and inerts of its dive bars.
FONTAINEBLEAU A
Miami Beach landmark since opening in 1954, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach (www.Fontainebleau.com) is the biggest and perhaps the most famous hotel on Miami Beach. Stomping grounds for Elvis, Frank Sinatra and countless other swinging celebrities during its first heyday and renowned for its whimsical Morris Lapidus architecture and design, the resort recently opened a luxury tower and is in the process of a $1 billion expansion/renovation, which is scheduled for completion in Fall 2008. The 22-acre complex will include 1,504 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 40,000 square foot spa, 11 restaurants and lounges, expansive pool complex and extensive meeting space.
ROSEWOOD Hotels & Re-
sorts has opened its first beachfront resort in the U.S., Acqualina. The $300m resort in Sunny Isles Beach has
If we could find a dive bar. A group of lawyers haggle for the pool table, cocktails and beers are downed and the conversation is lively with promise. Oceans breezes, Sunburns, Passion Pits, King Kongs, Goombay Smashes, Electric Bananas, Planter’s Punches, Bushwhackers and the ubiquitous Mojito in its many manifestations. Put on the style and the substance will come. Works for some.
97 rooms feature 118 residences and offers the fine dining of the acclaimed Il Mulino New York, world-renowned ESPA at Acqualina, three oceanfront swimming pools, an AcquaMarine Kids Program and a lavish, private beach club.
BILTMORE in Coral Gables has unveiled its elegant new $2.5m Biltmore Spa, located on the 7th floor of the hotel. The 12,000 sq. ft. spa offers an array of body treatments and services in a luxurious and sophisticated resort setting. TURNBERRY the 300-acre Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort (www.TurnberryIsle.com) in Aventura, is a 395-room property that is a world unto itself. The resort includes a marina, two 18-hole championship golf courses, 19 tennis courts, two swimming pools and a 25,000 square-foot pampering spa. Guests have access to a nearby beach club run by the resort.
■ British Airways fly to Miami daily from Heathrow terminal 5 with connections through from Dubin on BA and Aer Lingus
Page 023-025 philly pages 08/05/2013 14:05 Page 1
P
A Modern Day Renaissance City
HILADELPHIA, PA - the birthplace of America and home of modern innovation. This city combines rich history with a flourishing creative spirit, award winning culinary scene, a renowned arts and culture community, vibrant street life, green parks, and a retail Mecca with designer shops and boutiques offering taxfree shopping on all clothing and shoes! With a brag list that includes being named the “next great American city” by National Geographic magazine; a top city for street food, burgers, and sandwiches by Travel + Leisure magazine; and one of the world’s 10 best cities for parks by Frommer’s – this city offers something to entertain any travelers fancy. Rated as “America’s # 1 City for Culture” by Travel + Leisure, Philadelphia’s art, music, film, design, fashion, performance and culinary
JUNE 2013 PAGE 23
energy pulse through the many neighborhoods that weave together to create the fabric of the city.
Philadelphia’s art museums cover one of the most comprehensive collections of art in the U.S.A., including the largest collection of Impressionist art in the world. Known as the “Mural Arts Capital of the World” the city is also home to the largest collection of outdoor sculptures and mural arts across the globe.
Along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, newly coined “Museum Row”, internationally famous works can be found at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the leading art museums in the country; the Rodin Museum, home to the largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of Paris; and The Barnes Foundation, which boasts the world’s largest private collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art. In the
Old City District unique galleries offer a more informal approach to art with the First Friday celebration – independent venues, boutiques, and pop-up shops open their doors for an evening of live entertainment, artist wares, and often cocktails on the first Friday of every month. For live arts, head over to the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street) – home to theaters and concert halls including the magnificent Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Philadelphia Orchestra; and the Academy of Music, main stage for the Pennsylvania Ballet. Big screen bragging rights, Philadelphia has served as the backdrop for more than 85 films produced in the city with more in production every day. Some notable movies shot in Philadelphia include the Rocky series, Trading Places, Witness, Philadelphia, In Her Shoes,
The Sixth Sense, National Treasure, and Limitless. Coming soon to a theater near you: Dead Man Down (featuring Collin Farrell), and Paranoia (featuring Harrison Ford and Liam Helmsworth) were both recently filmed in the city and are set to release in 2013.
Experience Philadelphia first-hand and you’ll be sure to leave captivated. Explore this 21st century hub where an inspired young creative culture is blooming and deep-routed American history is waiting to be revealed. You will feel like a Philadelphian as you wander the vibrant streetscapes and immerse in America’s old world and new world. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau invites you to Discover PHL! Visit www.discoverPHL.com to begin planning your trip!
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B
PHILLY – Against the Backdrop of History Philadelphia Plays an Intricate Kaleidoscope of Culture, Arts, Shopping and Recreation
randywine and Valley Forge, Pennsylvania—the Countryside of Philadelphia—embraces visitors year-round with an ever-changing array of music, painting, sculpture, dance, theater, exhibitions, shopping and sport. Its treasures unfold against the backdrop of the history that defined a nation and set the course for its people. But be prepared: A visit here isn’t just strolling by glass cases, gazing at artifacts. It’s watching your kids “join” the Continental Army and receive their marching orders; caressing your taste buds with the tangy bite of a local wine; fist-
pumping to celebrate conquering a rock wall; gazing wistfully at an artistic masterpiece; tapping your toe to music that ranges from funk to folk; and strapping on skis for a downhill or cross-country schuss. The tempo here can rev up to the dizzying whirl of a roulette wheel. Or it can ease to the pace of a leisurely stroll along a tree-lined walking path that winds along a gurgling stream. Best of all, thanks to an extensive highway system, a world-class airport and numerous rail options, access is easy and convenient. And our array of hotels can either swath
you in luxury or wrap you in homey comfort. Both Brandywine and Valley Forge played noteworthy roles in the Revolutionary War: The former saw victory go to British General Howe, while the latter was the site of the 1777–1778 winter encampment of the Continental Army, from which emerged a spirited and rededicated fighting force. Brandywine and Valley Forge draw visitors on a daily basis by bringing their stories to life in lively and informative ways, including historical interpreters, hands-on demonstrations and multimedia presentations.
We have museums to appeal to all tastes, from high art to lowbrow comedy. The Brandywine River Museum displays an unparalleled collection of illustrations, still-lifes and landscapes by three generations of the Wyeth family. The Wharton Esherick Museum celebrates the “Dean of American Craftsman” and his unique and fanciful woodcarvings. The John James Audubon Center contains a copy of his Birds of America, printed and hand colored from copper plate engravings. At the other end of the spectrum, The Stoogeum stands as tribute to the comic artistry of The Three Stooges.
Page 023-025 philly pages 08/05/2013 14:05 Page 3
JUNE 2013 PAGE 25
PHILLY – Hip boutiques. Traditional department stores. Trendy shoe shops. Elegant shopping malls. Inside, a steady stream of their shorts plays out in an 85-seat theater, where visitors are free to sit back and giggle after viewing some 3,000 pieces of Stooge memorabilia. Outdoors, Brandywine and Valley Forge offer vistas that change character and detail with the passing of each season. The splendor on display puts the “great” in the term “great outdoors.” Sports-minded vacationers can take advantage of miles of trails for biking, hiking, jogging, and horseback riding. Golf, bowling, boating, skiing, ice skating and snowmobiling are abundant, and thrill-seekers can go zip-lining, rock climbing or mountain-biking.
The world-renowned Longwood Gardens combines the best of Italian, French, and English traditions to create one of North America’s most memorable gardens. Longwood encompasses 1,050 acres, offering 40 indoor/outdoor gardens, a breathtaking conservatory and spectacular illuminated fountains and fireworks. New for 2013 are ongoing opportunities to enable visitors to “Go behind the Garden Gates” and witness the background operations of the garden. If you’d rather hunt bargains than daffodils, King of Prussia Mall—the largest retail complex on the U.S. East Coast—features over 400 stores
that include Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales and Macy’s and an impressive collection of luxury retailers (Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Williams-Sonoma, for example). Nearby Philadelphia Premium Outlets additionally offers 150 name brand outlet stores offering 25–65 percent savings every day from brands including Ann Taylor, Coach, Abercrombie and Fitch, Brooks Brothers and Nike. Electronic shopping takes center stage at QVC. The QVC Studio Tour allows you to experience a live television broadcast, where you can see for yourself how products are brought to life on air and delivered to millions of cus-
tomers. Afterward, the studio store is available for shopping. Tempting palates is something at which Brandywine and Valley Forge excel. A crew of expert chefs can satisfy every craving, whether you’re in search of haute cuisine or hot dogs. Brandywine offers a renowned wine tasting tour of eight wineries, where you’ll experience beautiful estate vineyards in the rolling hills, charming tasting rooms and barrelaging cellars filled with premium wines that showcase a unique goût de terroir. The Countryside of Philadelphia: Everything & More!
everything
&more
clothes & shoes
From the renowned Brandywine River Museum, to the site of Washington’s famous encampment at Valley Forge National Historical Park, a bottle of cabernet or chardonnay at Chaddsford Winery or over 1,000 acres to explore at the world-renowned Longwood Gardens, combining the best of Italian, French and English traditions creating one of North America’s most memorable gardens and of course the resplendent beautiful rolling hills and picturesque countryside. And with tax-free shopping at The King of Prussia Mall or Philadelphia Premium Outlets, whatever you enjoy doing, there’s everything & more in the Countryside of Philadelphia.
For further information visit www.thecountrysideofphiladelphia.com
page 026-027 07/05/2013 11:19 Page 1
Millennium Tourism & Travel
is a well known handling agent in Antalya, South of Turkey, since 1996.
Having our headquarter in Antalya, it is particularly advantageous being within a very easy reach of our guests, thus enabling us to deal with all their requirements and to make sure our operations continue smoothly. 96 % of customer satisfaction among our guests coming from 13 different countries with more than 32 tour operators proves us the quality of our services. Beside golfing holidays, we also offering various travel options to the non golfers such as Spa holidays, short breaks to the other exciting destinations in Turkey. We proud ourselves by offering taylor made packages with competitive rates to all our partners.
Our services are:
n
Airport transfers
n
n n n
Hotel Reservations - Spa & Golf Holiday
n
Shuttle services
n
Guaranteed tee-time reservations Professional guiding services Excursions Car Hire
We are glad to inform that Millennium Golf is just opening 3 new branches in Istanbul, Kusadasi and Dubai as an Incoming and Outgoing Tour operator. Istanbul is a great historical capital, moreover it has 3 professional Golf courses. Dubai with its 15 perfectly maintained Golf courses has always attracted our interest as a prospective market. We believe that both destinations are very promising for golf so as for vacation.
International Competitions and Exhibitions organised by Millennium Golf n
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Ladies European Tour (2005) European Ladies Golf Tournament –Transfer Official Partner
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IGTM International Golf Travel Market (14-17 Nov.2011) Transfer & Accomodation Official Partner
n
For any rate, package or taylor made quotation and further information about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us anytime.
World Amateur Championship (Eisenhower Tournament) (4-8 Oct. 2012) – National Team Transfer Sponsor Turkish Airlines The World Final (8-12 Oct.2012) It is a worldwide known tournament where the best 8 golfers of the world participate – Transfer Official Partner.
Tel: 0090 242 349 31 31 • Fax: 0090 242 349 31 32 info@millenniumgolf.com.tr • www.millenniumgolf.com.tr
ISTANBUL PACKAGES - 3 or 4 NIGHTS
Include 1X CLASSIC CITY HALF DAY TOUR IN ISTANBUL ON YOUR CHOİCE & AIRPORT TRANSFERS
(return assistance guiding services €70)
Classic tour half day (am)
Classic tour half day (pm)
Visit to the Haghia Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture; the Blue Mosque, famous for its architecture as for its blue tiles, the Byzantine Hippodrome, where chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. Package
1
3 NIGHTS
Per person
€234
3* HOTEL NOBEL B&B, OLD CITY
Sgl Room
€300
4 NIGHTS
Per person
€273
PERIOD: 09.04.13 - 31.10.13
Sgl Room
€361
(excluding period 08.05.13 – 11.05.2013)
Package
2
3 NIGHTS
Per person
€204
Visit to the Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (excluding the harem section) for 4 centures, it is one of the largest and oldest standing palaces in the World. Proceed to the Rustempasa Mosque, famous for its exquisite tiles and woodwork.
3* HOTEL SUNLIGHT B&B, OLD CITY
Sgl Room
€252
4 NIGHTS
Per person
€233
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13
Sgl Room
€297
Package
3
3 NIGHTS
Per person
€240
4* HOTEL ORAN B&B, OLD CITY
Sgl Room
€330
4 NIGHTS
Per person
€281
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13
Sgl Room
€401
page 026-027 07/05/2013 11:19 Page 2
Package
4
3 NIGHTS
Per person
€357
4* HOTEL TITANIC CITY B&B, TAKSIM
Sgl Room
€531
Package
4 NIGHTS
Per person
€437
Sgl Room
€669
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13
5* CROWN PLAZA HARBIYE B&B, TAKSIM
5
3 NIGHTS
Per person
€351
Sgl Room
€552
4 NIGHTS
Per person
€429
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13
Sgl Room
€697
Package
6
5* SWISSOTEL THE BOSPHORUS B&B, TAKSIM
3 NIGHTS
Per person
€513
Sgl Room
€909
4 NIGHTS
Per person
Sgl Room
€645
€1,173
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13
ISTANBUL PACKAGES - 7 NIGHTS
Include 1X CLASSIC CITY FULL DAY TOUR IN ISTANBUL ON YOUR CHOİCE & AIRPORT TRANSFERS
(return assistance guiding services €70)
Classic tour full day with lunch
Visit to the Haghia Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture; the Blue Mosque, famous for its architecture as for its blue tiles, the Byzantine Hippodrome, where chariot races were held. Lunch in restaurant. Visit to the Topkapi Palace the famous residence of the Sultans (excluding the harem section, and to the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. Package
3* HOTEL NOBEL B&B, OLD CITY
1
PERIOD: 09.04.13 - 31.10.13
(excluding period 08.05.13 – 11.05.2013) Package
4
7 NIGHTS
Per person
€435
Sgl Room
€589
4* HOTEL TITANIC CITY B&B, TAKSIM
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13
7 NIGHTS
Per person
€722
Sgl Room
€1,128
Package
2
In the morning visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the World. Cross the Bosphorus by driving through the Bosphorus Bridge to go over the Asian side of Istanbul. A visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans used in the 19th century. After lunch a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents.
3* HOTEL SUNLIGHT B&B, OLD CITY
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13 Package
Bosphorus & Asia full day tour with lunch
7 NIGHTS
Per person
€365
Sgl Room
€477
5* CROWN PLAZA HARBIYE B&B, TAKSIM
5
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13
7 NIGHTS
Per person
€708
Sgl Room
€1,177
Package
4* HOTEL ORAN B&B, OLD CITY
3
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13 Package
6
7 NIGHTS
Per person
€449
Sgl Room
€659
5* SWISSOTEL THE BOSPHORUS B&B, TAKSIM
PERIOD: 01.04.13 - 31.10.13
7 NIGHTS
Per person
€1,086
Sgl Room
€2,010
ANTALYA & ISTANBUL PACKAGES - 7 NIGHTS
Include 7 NIGHTS ACCOMODATION n 2 ROUNDS GOLF AT KAYA EAGLES GOLF CLUB n AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN ANTALYA & ISTANBUL (return assistance guiding services €70)
Package
5 nights 5* HOTEL KAYA RIU BELEK 2 nights 3* HOTEL NOBEL, B&B, OLD CITY
1
PERIOD: 08.06.13/30.06.13
Per person
€733
Sgl Room
€977
Package
2
5 nights 5* HOTEL KAYA RIU BELEK 2 nights 4* HOTEL ORAN, B&B, OLD CITY
PERIOD: 08.06.13/30.06.13
Per person
€749
Sgl Room
€1,019
5 nights 5* HOTEL KAYA RIU BELEK 2 nights 5* CROWN PLAZA, B&B, OLD CITY
Package
3
PERIOD: 08.06.13/30.06.13
Per person
€823
Sgl Room
€1,167
ANTALYA & ISTANBUL PACKAGES - 9 NIGHTS
Include 9 NIGHTS ACCOMODATION n 2 ROUNDS GOLF AT KAYA EAGLES GOLF CLUB n AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN ANTALYA & ISTANBUL (return assistance guiding services €70)
Package
7 nights 5* HOTEL KAYA RIU BELEK 2 nights 3* HOTEL NOBEL, B&B, OLD CITY
4
PERIOD: 08.06.13/30.06.13
Per person
€944
Sgl Room
€1,272
Package
5
7 nights 5* HOTEL KAYA RIU BELEK 2 nights 4* HOTEL ORAN, B&B, OLD CITY
PERIOD: 08.06.13/30.06.13
Per person
€960
Sgl Room
€1,314
7 nights 5* HOTEL KAYA RIU BELEK 2 nights 5* CROWN PLAZA, B&B, OLD CITY
Package
6
PERIOD: 08.06.13/30.06.13
Per person
€1,034
Sgl Room
€1,462
Page 028-033 River Cruise 2013 07/05/2013 14:30 Page 1
JUNE 2013 PAGE 28
RIVER CRUISE 2013
What your clients should know
Go with the flow
M
ore of us are taking our holidays on water that ever before. One of the fastest growing sectors of the travel industry has been the rush to river holidays. Over the last five years, this segment of the industry has seen 10pc annual passenger growth out of the Irish market, as consumers become more familiar with the product, air access to the main riverport cities increases,, the boats become more luxurious and the major players in the river cruise industry become more innovative. Europe's waterways can be experienced in a variety of ways including self skippered boats, short tour-cruises and canal barge. But it is the river cruise sector that has seen the biggest change. These may range from older ones whose price points have been driven down by the rush to more luxurious craft by the big
lines, to the newest ships, inspired by classic ocean yachts, which have spas, gyms and, wi-fi access. A few of the newest have pools, though these are sill a rarity for river cruise vessels. Outside balconies are the norm on river cruises and schedules are tweaked to offer the finest scenery during daylight. River cruise combines the advantages of an ocean cruise with those of a bus tour, river cruises show you the best of Europe, Russia and China, and bring passeengers small quaint villages as well as the large cosmopolitan cities. One of the main comforts is that you only have to unpack your bags once, and that all you need is provided on board. Most offer all-inclusive meals and many have additional services such as spas featuring relaxing massages and facials. Some also include wine with dinner.
The cruise lines offer local evening entertainment, lectures and demonstrations. Shore excursions hosted by an English speaking local guide are
BHunsrock in Germany
part of the experience. These may be charged separately and it is worth checking before you book for a client as it can have a significant impact on the price. More compa-
nies are including excursions as partof the package price, in contrast to what is happening in the ocean cruising sector. The major European routes are the Danube and
the Rhine. Uniworld’s Castles on the Rhine tour is one of their most popular cruises, while Enchanting Danube takes passengers from Budapest to Passau, and Eu-
Page 028-033 River Cruise 2013 07/05/2013 14:30 Page 2
What your clients should know
JUNE 2013 PAGE 29
RIVER CRUISE 2013 ropean Serenade voyages from Vienna to Amsterdam. Other cruises include Paris and Normandy on the Seine. In Portugal while one of the most exciting new ships on the water is the Duoro Spirit that plies its trade on the Douro River. In Russia you can cruise Moscow and St Petersburg. Ama has introduced an African River Cruise and Safari that visits the Chobe River, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania
U
have niworld been especially active in the Irish market, with the team headed by Sharon Jordan. Their big selling point is the fact that shore excursions are all inclusive. In business for more than 30 years, their launch of the all-suite River Beatrice in 2007
The swirling Danube changed standards through the industry. Uniworld are regarded as European specialists with eight ships plying the waters of the major European rivers, They have expanded to become a world wide operations with more than 20 countries on their itinerary, and more than 500
sailings a year. They have interests in Asia and Egypt, offering cruises on the Yangtze, Mekong and Nile Rivers They had two 2011 launches, the flagship 443 feet, 82-cabin SS Antoinette with its floating art museum, first movie theatre on a river cruise ship, and heated swim-
ming pool with underwater music, and the slightly smaller 64-cabin Douro Spirit. The long-established River Ambassador, the slightly smaller 64 cabin River Queen are already favourites on the Irish market. The River Ambassador has two large main decks,
a bar and lounge and is one of the few river cruises to offer a fitness facility on board the ship. Uniworld also operates (though does not own) the famous MS Litvinov, a sleek 220-passenger, 423 foot cruiser that is a popular Russian river cruise vessel. All cabins on Uni-
world’s river cruisers are outside. They range from standard cabins to luxury suites and the deluxe rooms include floor to ceiling windows. Uniworld offers cleaning service twice a day and the beds come with wool blankets and fluffy duvets. Dining aboard consists
UNPARALLELED LUXURY. UNCOMPROMISING VALUE.
GL
1,829pps*
pp
,9 75
ey bt €1
WAS €2,852 NOW €
Sail from Porto through the beautiful and dramatic landscapes of the Douro Valley, and revel in the intriguing cities and beautiful architecture of the Iberian Peninsula. Price Includes: Return flights, taxes & 1 piece of checked luggage * port taxes * 7-night cruise in a luxuriously appointed Cat 2 riverview stateroom on the chic NEW Queen Isabel * 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners * Complimentary fine wines, choice of beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner; bottled water in your stateroom; and a 24 hour specialty coffee and tea bar * 10 fully escorted shore excursions * Signature Lecture: “The Magical Douro River Valley” * Onboard local entertainment.
European Serenade
Vienna to Amsterdam | 13 Day Luxury River Cruise | Departs 17 October 2013
HM
Includes upgrade to a luxurious CAT 2 Riverview Stateroom worth €225pp
GL
pp
Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Porto to Porto | 8 Day Luxury River Cruise | Departs 17 November 2013
HM
€1
02 3
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It’s time to find those places you have been dreaming of. Serenity awaits onboard your intimate luxury cruise ship. Come, join us. A journey with Uniworld will transport you to intriguing destinations in impeccable style, luxury and comfort. Uniworld is voted by consumers, year after year, as the “best in the river cruising industry”.
2,399pps*
WAS €4,374 NOW €
Sail three breathtakingly scenic rivers: the castle-clad Rhine; the peaceful, meandering Main, and the majestic Danube. From imperial Vienna to colorful and lively Amsterdam. Price Includes: Return flights, taxes & 1 piece of checked luggage * port taxes * 12-night cruise in a luxuriously appointed Cat 5 riverview stateroom on the imperial River Duchess * 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 12 dinners * Complimentary fine wines, choice of beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner; bottled water in your stateroom; and a 24 hour specialty coffee and tea bar * 19 fully escorted shore excursions * Signature Lecture:“Small Things of Daily Life in Germany” * Onboard local entertainment.
*Prices are per person, twin share, and are subject to availability and change at time of booking. Single supplements apply. Full Uniworld terms & conditions apply. Offers can be withdrawn at any time. Alternative dates for special offers are available. Book by 30 May.
To order your 2013 brochures, and for more information on events, competitions, agent training and more, email 1sts@1sts.ie, or call us on 01 775 3803.
Reservations: 01 775 3838
www.onestoptouringshop.com
Page 028-033 River Cruise 2013 07/05/2013 14:30 Page 3
JUNE 2013 PAGE30
RIVER CRUISE 2013
What your clients should know
Fish are jumping: River cruise options come in all shapes and sizes of breakfast and lunch buffets. Dinner is open seating and menus often feature country-specific themes. Many ships have spas or fitness facilities and a few have pools. Medical facilities, beauty salons, lounges, and large sun decks are options on which Uniworld boat you chose. Entertainment is of the quiet variety, and is often by local musicians, guitar players and/or singers. Shore excursions with local guides can be arranged with the Cruise Manager.
U
niworld’s big sellers this summer are the Duoro in Portugal and the Po in Italy, due, the firm says to value pricing in the market place. In Portugal clients can sail on the Queen Isabel which was christened just last month by godmother Andy McDowell. This is Uniworld’s newest ship in Europe and its warm water location means it
boasts a swimming pool on deck. The Douro River Valley is favoured by architecture and wine buffs. The Italian programme features the re-modeled River Countess which is designed entirely with Italian sophistication, style and luxury in mind. Cruising and touring through romantic cities such as Venice, Rome and Florence, Itineraries include al fresco dining at sunset, a captain’s welcome gala meal and a farewell dinner. The more energetic traveller can hop on a complimentary bike and see the regions at their own pace.
Christmas markets over 8 days of cruising it is a highly recommended way to see the best markets in Europe. For 2014 Uniworld is turning 100pc all-inclusive following in to footsteps of luxury ocean cruise liner SilverSea.
C
hristmas Market Cruises proved very popular in 2012 and the trend continues as demand for 2013 is high. At recent sales shows with Creation Travel in Limerick and e-Travel in Dublin Christmas market cruises were the hot topic. Taking in six different
Dock on the Rhine
While Uniworld is already on sale for 2014 and indeed taking advance bookings the new all-inclusive brochure will not be out to market until June 2013. Uniworld continues to be a trade only supplier with no direct booking
function on their website. Which means agents can recommend the Uniworld website to clients with confidence knowing that the website is purely an information service. Agent discounts of up to 65pc are available on most Uniworld River
Cruise itineraries. Contact Sharon Jordan on sharon.jordan@bookttcie.com.
A
MA Waterways, founded in 2002 by river cruise
Page 028-033 River Cruise 2013 07/05/2013 14:30 Page 4
What your clients should know
JUNE 2013 PAGE 31
RIVER CRUISE 2013 pioneer Rudi Schreiner, are represented in Ireland by Sunway. Ama Waterways uses 13 of the newest ships in the industry and operate exclusively for the English speaking market. Ama ships are distinguished by their spacious cabins, French balconies and marble-appointed bathrooms and most offer fitness centres, beauty salons, gift shops, and splash pools. The flagship is the AmaKatarina, with 108-cabins. With their latest, the 106-passenger AmaVida, AmaWaterways has introduced their new Douro cruise through Portugal and Spain. Sunway is currently offering this 14 night trip including 3 nights in Lisbon at the start and 3 nights in Madrid at the end including flights and transfers for 2709 per person, a reduction of 1520 per couple off the
The Neckar in Stuttgart brochure rate. The cruise includes 5 star luxury accommodation onboard AmaVida, all meals, unlimited beer and wines
with meals, daily sightseeing programme and evening entertainment. The AmaVida, a ship owned by Portuguese
company Douro Azul and is being leased by Ama, was christened by Sharon Stone on March 28. While the AmaVida is not
owned directly by AmaWaterways, the interior design and some of the ship’s features were close to the style of river
s e 4 1 re l 0 u b 2 rt ila pa ava de w o n
Europe’s Finest River Cruises Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Main, Elbe, Rhône & Seine 5 days from only €819pp
8 days from only €1199pp
cruising that has come to be associated with Ama in Western and Central Europe. The launch of the AmaVida comes at a time of renewed interest in Portugal’s Douro River, which winds through the Douro River Valley, the country’s famous wine region and a Unesco World Heritage site. The 215-square-foot cabins on the upper two decks all have smaller balconies as well as a cozy interior seating area. The unique bathroom layout, which features a separate room for the toilet and a standing shower, is entirely clad in marble. The vessel also has two 323-square-foot suites on the upper deck, and the 16 lower-deck cabins are 161 square feet each. The ship is 260 feet long and 37 feet wide. By contrast, Ama’s newest ship on the Danube River, the 164-passenger
14 days from only €2869pp
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Page 028-033 River Cruise 2013 07/05/2013 14:30 Page 5
JUNE 2013 PAGE 32
RIVER CRUISE 2013
What your clients should know
Cruising on the Douro in Portugal AmaPrima, is 443 feet long and 38 feet wide. For the AmaVida, with relatively limited space, the vessel has been pared down. Ama has made great efforts in its European fleet to incorporate additional dining venues, and it has maintained that tradition here: An alfresco dining area adjacent to the main restaurant can seat 32 passengers for a separate three-course dinner. Seating in this dining area must be reserved in advance. A light lunch is also available in the lounge and on the sun deck, weather permitting, in addition to the buffet breakfast and lunch served in the main restaurant. There is also a small fitness room, a spa, a heated pool on the sundeck and a gift shop.
L The Rhine is our most popular river cruise
ast year AMA Waterways launched the 82-cabin AmaCerto with twin balconies, multiple dining venues and a heated pool.
The AmaCerto serves the Dutch and Belgium Waterways and the Danube and Rhine Rivers on nine itineraries: Rooms aboard the ships come equipped with wireless Internet connection, flat-screen televisions, luxurious down duvets and pillows, and a multi-jet shower system. On board the line offers a beauty salon, fitness centre and a sun deck. Main lounges are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows and so are the Panorama Restaurants. Itineraries are designed to cruise during mealtimes. The Europe fleet also includes the ■ AmaVerde (2011); ■ AmaBella (2010); ■ AmaLyra (2009); ]■ AmaDolce (2009); ■ AmaCello (2008), ■ AmaDante (2008); ■ AmaLegro (2007) and ■ AmaDagio (2006). In addition to the European destinations, Ama operates in ■ Vietnam and Cambodia via the AmaLotus (2011) and the La Mar-
guerite (2009); ■ Russia via the AmaKatarina (2011); Portugal via the AmaVida (2013); and ■ Africa via the 12cabin Zambezi Queen (2009).
R
iviera Travel’s latest 2013-14 brochure, newly released this month, carries details of two new ships and a new itinerary in their s brochure for 2013. The new vessels arriving into the fleet are the elegant five-star MS Swiss Tiara and luxurious five-star MS Swiss Sapphire bringing the total to six ships. The programme includes a new French itinerary: The Seine, Paris and Normandy and a return to the Rhine, Moselle, Main, Danube, Elbe, Rhône and Seine. Riviera’s style of river cruising caters for a predominantly Irish and British market, incorporating extra touches. There is one onboard language (English). The
Page 028-033 River Cruise 2013 07/05/2013 14:30 Page 6
What your clients should know
JUNE 2013 PAGE 33
RIVER CRUISE 2013 cruise line offers a breakfast in bed option, tea and coffee making facilities in cabins, and open seating for dining.Included in every holiday:■ Transport by air ■ Transfers ■ Fully escorted by experienced Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Tour Manager ■ Hand- picked five-star and four-star superior River Cruise ships ■ Full board including daily afternoon tea and Captain’s Gala Dinner ■ Sightseeing excursions Examples of prices on offer include: ■ Amsterdam, Volendam and the Dutch Bulbfields – 5 days from 819pp ■ The Blue Danube – 8 days from 1,199pp ■ Cruise the Heart of Europe – 14 days from 9 2,639
A
valon Waterways has a fleet of 15 ships offering river cruises to Europe or China. It has partnered with Globus, to offer shore excursions. The Victoria Anna and Jenne are beautiful ships sailing in China while the Royal Lotus sails the Nile River. Its most recent launch, the Avalon Panorama, is described in the marketing material as the industry's first "Suite Ship.”
E
uropean Waterways offers a fleet of 15 ships sourcing existing old trading barges and converts them into boutique hotel barges of between four and 12 cabins.
Many itineraries are designed to sail by day and dock by night, unlike ocean cruises
R IVER C RUISE A River Cruise is the ultimate way to discover Europe, Russia & Mekong in a truly grand style
WHATS INCLUDED IN YOUR 5* RIVERCRUISE
! Seven
nights cruise ! Welcome drinks ! All meals on board ! Unlimited wine with dinner ! Captains dinner ! Gala dinner ! Daily sightseeing programme ! Luxurious cabins ! Plush hotel style bedding
––EXCLUSIVE CRUISE ONLY OFFERS –– Book Before 31st May ‘13 Treasures of the Main & Rhine from €1139 Enticing Douro Christmas Time Cruise Port Wine & Flamenco Blue Danube Discovery
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Above prices are per person based on cruise only. Flights, transfers & hotels not included. T&C’s apply.
Contact your local Travel Agent | www.sunway.ie/rivercruise | 01 2366 800
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AFLOAT ALTON TOWERS is set to unveil
a new roller coaster this May The Smiler’, and to celebrate. Irish Ferries is promoting an early Summer break to Britain’s top theme park. A three-night stay with breakfast in the nearby Holiday Inn Express Hotel is €448 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years, inclusive of return car ferry crossing and one full day at Alton Towers, valid for travel until May 27th. The Smiler will feature a 30 metre drop, a speed of 85km/hr and a ride time of 165 seconds coupled with a track length three times longer than the iconic attraction ‘Oblivion’.
ETRAVEL held their first cruise work-
shop in the Red Cow conference centre in Dublin in Mid-April. Participants included Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Azamara, NCL, MSC, Silverseas, Uniworld river cruise and for the first time ever in Ireland Carnival Cruises lines. The event attracted 800 guests and there were 100 at the cruise presentations.
HURTIGRUTEN hosted the trade at a major exhibition on the life of Tom Crean in Dun Laoghaire.
Inside balcony with a view
AZZAM The world’s largest super yacht,
Insiders get a view
DISNEY Magic is back in Europe this summer for the first time in two years, taking families to Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey.
R
DUBLIN PORT Two different
Boston developers have encouraged two separate convention centre builds in Dublin port. a 180-metre vessel named Azzam, was launched in Bremen
CRYSTAL Cruises announced is to ban
smoking in all indoor areas of its two ships except for Connoisseur Club smoking lounges. Outside smoking will be allowed in a limited number of designated spaces.
OASIS of the Seas’ European season went on sale to members of Royal Caribbean International’s loyalty club, Crown and Anchor, on 9 April 2013 to what the cruise line calls a phenomenal reaction. MSC cruises said bookings were up 90pc in April compared to the same period, last year. ROYAL Caribbean will have five ships
sailing short Caribbean and Bahamas cruises out of Florida in 2014. The lines says the 1,998-passenger Vision of the Seas will join the 3,634-passenger Liberty of the Seas in offering short voyages from Fort Lauderdale.
ROYAL Caribbean is offering customers up to USD$100 credit to spend onboard and agents can win some summer spending money of their own with two lots €100 Love2shop vouchers up for grabs every day in May. HOLLAND AMERICA Less
than a year after serving as godmother for Oceania Cruises' latest vessel, celebrity chef Cat Cora signed on with rival Holland America to headline a culinary program on a Mediterranean voyage. Holland America says Cora will offer cooking demonstrations on a 12night sailing of the 2,106-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam from July 2.
Quantum Class changes inside cabins for ever
oyal Caribbean cruise line have announced the end of the inside cabin as we know it on their next two ships Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. At a ceremony in New York Royal Caribbean group CEO Richard Fain outlined details of the new class of ships which will the change forever the lives and vision of cruise cost-cutters. On its newest ship. Quantum of the Seas, due to be launched next autumn, inside cabins (above) will have a full screen virtual balcony, with real time sea views (or port views as you
enter harbours) Other innovations include an observation capsule on a giant mechanical arm (below) that transports 14 passengers at a time high above the vessel, on board bumper cars, and a sky diving simulator. The ships will be closer in size to Freedom Class than the giant Oasis class. On board will be a variety of new venues, not before seen on any ship. ■ A space offering 270-degree views (appropriately called Two70˚) located at the aft of the ship. By day guests enjoy the view and by night the space
evolves into an entertainment venue that uses robotic video arms, dramatic digital projection and high-flying aerialists and performers. ■ The largest indoor active space at sea, SeaPlex sporting and entertainment venue with a circus school with flying trapeze, basketball on a full-size basketball court, changed at ngith to the first-ever bumper car and roller skating venue at sea and a club from a floating DJ booth which hovers above the activity below ■ Music Hall for live performances, DJs, theme night parties, billiards and more.
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JUNE 2013 PAGE 35
AFLOAT
DISCOVER
GREAT DEALS Britain by Car • Free Wi-Fi • Free movies • No baggage limits
Waterslide labyrinth on Norwegian Breakaway
Breakaway
N
S
European travel agents before setting sail Sunday on its first revenue cruise, a one-night trip to Southampton, England. From there it head to New York, where i was be christened on May 8 before beginning yearround voyages out of the city. Slightly smaller than
tena Line, has invested £4.6m on its ships on the Belfast–Liverpool route. The new look ships, the Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey, have been refurbished by £2.3m each to offer improved facilities and additional services for customers with the aim of making travel between Belfast and Liverpool affordable and hassle-free. The company can now offer customers the same
Diane Poole experience as that for passenegrs on Superfast from Belfast to Cairnryan or Supercruise to Liver-
• Includes return ferry from travel by car * • Kids travel & stay for free per adult per night • Great hotels in Wales, Chester, Liverpool and more.
€85
Royal Caribbean's groundbreaking Oasis Class ships, Breakaway has all the trappings of a major mega-resort, including a wide variety of restaurants and nightspots. The ship's deck-top amusements include a water park with five water slides.
STENA CONTINUES MEGA INVESTMENT
pool. Diane Poole, Head of PR and Communications for Stena Line says “Since acquiring the Belfast – Liverpool route in 2010, we have been working on bringing the ships and service into line with the rest of the Stena Line proposition, providing our freight and travel customers with the best possible service and facilities on the Irish Sea,” said Diane.
single, car + driver
Hotel Breaks
NCL base new ship in New York
orwegian has launched the 4,028-passenger Norwegian Breakaway which set sail last month with passengers for the first time. Built at Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard, Breakaway started with a two-night familiarisation trip out of Rotterdam for
€89 from
Europe by Landbridge • Firstly hop across to Britain • Then choose between 15 onward routes to Europe 600 return • Save up to €600
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€115 single, car + driver
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stenaline.ie call 01 204 77 77
Britain by car fare applies to single Economy online fares valid on selected routes and sailings when booked a minimum 42 days in advance. Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead route is seasonal and operates up to 10 September 2013. €15 service fee applies to non-web car bookings. *Hotel breaks price is per adult per night based on 2 adults sharing, minimum 2 night stay for midweek travel from Dublin Port - Holyhead & Rosslare - Fishguard. Weekend supplements apply. Up to 2 children sharing adults room stay and travel free in selected hotels but pay hotel direct for any meals taken. Landbridge to Europe single fare applies to car + driver for travel on selected Irish Sea routes and sailings to Britain and onwards with DFDS from Dover - Calais. For fare validities and savings see our website for full details.
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JUNE 2013 PAGE 36
THE FLYING COLUMN FLIGHT ATTENDANTS have the worst jobs in travel, according to a new ranking based on pay, stress, physical demands and future prospects. They came 191st out of 200 careers listed in an annual survey by the website www.careercast.com. “High stress, low pay and a shrinking job market all contribute to flight attendant’s inclusion among the worst jobs of 2013,” the website explained. “As airlines continue to consolidate and reduce staff, this is unlikely to change.”
Aviation with Gerry O’Hare
Toronto year-round
CITYLINK launched their new Airport
Direct coach service between Galway and Dublin Airport on Wednesday. It runs eight times daily and will shorten journeys to the airport from Galway by up to 30 minutes.
SAS has signed an agreement to sell 80pc
of its shares in Norwegian regional carrier Widerøe to a group of investors SAS will sell seven Dash Q400 aircraft which are currently leased by Widerøe from SAS to Widerøe.
THOMAS COOK Group is to
merge Frankfurt-based Condor Flugdienst GmbH and its wholly owned subsidiary Condor Berlin GmbH.
UNITED Airlines has introduced onboard satellite-based Wi-Fi internet connectivity on the first of its international widebody aircraft
RYANAIR said it could attract 10m tourists to Greece within the next three years if the charges at Athens International Airport are lowered from €12 to €5 per passenger and it is given other concessions. AUSTRALIA 's competition regulator ACCC has granted Virgin Australia approval to take control of loss-making rival Tiger Australia. AVALON is set to become Melbourne's second international airport after the Australian and Philippines governments cleared the way for direct flights there. KNOCK Ireland West Airport Knock
scooped the Social Enterprise Award at the Connacht provincial final of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards.
AIR FRANCE
has postponed the delivery of its next two A380 aircraft which were due in 2013.
CYPRUS Airways will continue its operation until the end of the summer season while the government seeks a strategic investor. LUFTHANSAGroup reported a 2013 Q1 operating loss of €359m. Lufthansa Group still expects revenue to be up on 2012 and an operating result higher than the €524m reported in 2012 VIRGIN Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, which is designed to take tourists to the edge of space, flew its first rocket-powered test flight, bringing Richard Branson’s plans to send paying passengers into space moved a small step closer.
Air Canada Rouge to take over service in 2014 Aer Canada will use the last 767-300 not under the ouge banner for the Dublin service ir Canada’s current seasonal Air Canada. said, there is “a very 2015. Air Canada rouge’s Boeing 767service between Dublin and strong market for both leisure cusToronto, Canada will be con- tomers and visiting friends and rela- 300ER aircraft feature a two-cabin verted to year-round service operated tives, so this is an ideal market for our configuration with three seating opby its new leisure carrier, Air Canada new leisure carrier, Air Canada rouge, tions, rouge with a 30-inch seat pitch, to operate more cost effectively on a rouge Plus with preferred seating with rouge, beginning in 2014. a 37-inch seat pitch, and, beginning Air Canada will operate the route year-round basis.” “This is the fourth European desti- in winter 2013, Premium rouge offerthis year from 17 May through to 30 September 2013 and Air Canada nation announced for Air Canada ing both additional room and enrouge will commence year-round rouge, which will begin flying this hanced service. July to Edinburgh, Venice and Athens The airline’s Airbus A319 aircraft service starting 1 May 2014. This year, Air Canada’s Dublin- in addition to a number of Caribbean are configured with rouge and rouge Plus preferred seating. Toronto seasonal service will operate destinations. “We intend to grow Air Canada All flights will offer customers from 18 May to 29 September 2013 with up to seven non-stop flights per rouge quickly from four aircraft to 32 streamed wireless inflight entertainaircraft by the end of 2014 and 42 air- ment, stylish and modern cabin inteweek. riors with innovative new seats, and Bookings on the new Air Canada craft by the end of 2015.” Air Canada rouge’s startup fleet the ability to earn and redeem Aerorouge service will become available starting in June 2013 on consists of two Airbus A319 aircraft plan miles. Air Canada has been serving Ireaircanada.com and through travel and two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft that will grow to ten aircraft by the land since its predecessor, Transagents. Ben Smith, Executive Vice Presi- end of 2013, 32 aircraft by the end of Canada Air Lines, first flew to dent and Chief Commercial Officer at 2014 and 42 aircraft by the end of Shannon in 1947.
A
DUBLIN RUNNING TWO TERMINALS FOR LESS THAN COST OF ONE
G
roup operating costs at Dublin Airport Authority are now 8pc below 2008 levels, when Dublin Airport was operating with only one terminal. That was among the astonishing revelations at DAA’s annual results announced this month. There was more good news to report: ■ Dublin Airport longhaul passengers grew by
16pc last year. ■ Net debt was reduced by 60m. ■ Passenger numbers at Dublin and Cork airport were up 1.6pc ■ 55 airlines operated to 170 destinations from Dublin Airport last year. ■ Shannon was separated from DAA with no debt, on time and in line with Government decision. Dublin Airport
processed 420,000 additional passengers last year, led by long-haul traffic, which was up 16pc due to new capacity on routes to the Middle East and to North America. Revenue was divided among aeronautical revenue 41pc, retailing in Ireland 18pc, other commercial activities in Ireland 17pc and international retailing and other activities 24pc.
Traffic at Cork Airport declined by 1pc to 2.3m, as domestic and British traffic declined, while passenger numbers at Shannon were down 14pc at 1.4m, due largely to a significant drop in military transit traffic. The overseas arm of DAA’s retail business ARI generated profits of just over 27m in 2012. The core Irish airports business is loss-making.
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JUNE 2013 PAGE 37
THE FLYING COLUMN
Aviation with Gerry O’Hare
224 flights a week Record Trans-Atlantic capacity from ireland
VIRGIN Atlantic's flight attendants will get a new look. The latest version of airline’s signature red outfits, which have been around for over 10 years, will be unveiled in July, before an official launch next year. AER LINGUS are to operate 11 weekly services from Dublin to Boston during winter 2013-14, an increase of four weekly services. AIR INDIA According to Air India’s Rohit Nandan, the airline is to commence flying to Birmingham, Melbourne and Milan, ending speculation for now of a Dublin service. TURKISH Airlines has banned air hostesses from wearing brightly-coloured lipsticks such as red or pink. Turkish Airlines is considering banning alcohol on its flights to and from Russia in an effort to curb unruly fliers on those routes, according Russian newspaper Izvestia. AER LINGUS chairman Colm Barrington said he does not believe the Government will seek to sell its 25.1pc stake in Aer Lingus until Ryanair sells theirs.
Uniged’s 757-200 service
N
ew transatlantic capacity secured for Dublin Airport from six separate airlines means that 224 flights per week will operate to Americas and Canada during the peak summer season this year. Each of the airlines operating transAtlantic routes from Ireland has announced an increase in capacity for 2013. Shannon airport’s transatlantic passenger numbers will increase by 22pc this year. Aer Lingus now has direct non-stop competition to New York from the three major US airlines and from the three global alliances. Dublin Airport will have 12 daily scheduled flights to nine different US airports. Aer Lingus is increasing frequency on Dublin-Boston and Dublin-Chicago and is inceasing Dublin-Orlando to three weekly.
Delta is increasing the Dublin-JFK service from 7 to 10 weekly and introducing more capacity on the normal daily service, with three flights using a 226 seat aircraft in a 26-200 configuration rather than last year’s 208 seat B767-300 in a 36-172 configuration. Delta’s Dublin-JFK flights take off at 11.20 and land at 13.50 daily and the new afternoon flight on Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays takes off at 14.50 and lands at 17.15. The return flight takes off from JFK at 19.30 and lands at 07.25 while the second flight on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays takes off from JFK at 21.30 and lands at 9.30. American Airlines launch a new daily using a 2-class B757 DublinJFK service on June 12th which will be year round. The flight will leave Dublin at 9am
making it the first service to leave Dublin for New York each day. United to Newark is also scheduled at 0900. Air Canada’s Dublin-Toronto service resumed two weeks earlier than last year on May 18 and operates five weekly before daily service from May 28. Air Canada will keep their one remaining larger B763 on the route before rouge takes over the route next year. It will be year round form 2014.. US Airways will operate Shannon to Philadelphia daily from May 22 to early September, using a B757. United Airlines are to fly Shannon to Chicago five times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 6-August 28 at 11.00am. Delta Air Lines seasonal flight between Shannon Airport and JFK recommenced on May 11, using a B757-200 aircraft with 170 seats.
ALL REGIONAL FLIGHTS NOW IN T2
A
er Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, has moved all of its services to and from Dublin Airport to Terminal 2. Until the end of April, some of Aer Lingus Regional’s flights have operated from Terminal 1. The move ends the length-ofairport transfer between the 400 and 100 gates for passengers transferring to Trans-Atlantic flights from English regional flights.
The airline said that with both regional and mainline services operating from the same terminal, connections would be easier for customers. In addition, the move to the new terminal will facilitate Aer Lingus Regional customers linking to Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services in Terminal 2. Aer Lingus Regional will operate up to 32 departures a day from Terminal 2. It currently operates 550 flights per week across 24
routes. The first scheduled services from the new Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport began in 2010. Other airlines operating from the terminal include Emirates, Etihad Airways, Delta, United, US Airways and American Airlines. Simon Fagan, chief commercial officer at Aer Arann said “for Aer Arann, the move to Terminal 2 is a significant step in advancing our ‘new beginning’
strategy, which aims to position the airline among Europe’s top tier of regional airlines,” said “Aer Arann, which also has bases in Cork, Shannon and Ireland West Airport, Knock, aims to double its passenger numbers to over two million over the next five years – having overseen a 32pc rise in Aer Lingus Regional passenger numbers in the past 12 months.“
SLOTS Air Transport World said Aer Lingus has sought clearance from its shareholders to sell a pair of London Heathrow slots to British Airways. WARSAW Chppin runway closure has been extended until September 2nd which means Ryanair will continue to fly to Warsaw Modlin instead. COPENHAGEN passengers face some of the world's most expensive airport taxi fares, Moneycorp, the currency exchange firm says. A journey to the city centre costing €40 or €8 per mile. Transfers were also costly at Geneva, Tokyo and Brussels. Those at Munich (€2.60 per mile) were cheapest. AER LINGUS inaugural flight from Shannon to Faro took to the skies last month. The three times weekly service will operate until the end of October, FLYBE started operating from Shannon to Glasgow Airport last month, it will operating 3w on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. KLM have launched a competition giving people the chance to win a trip to space. Contestants must predict how high a weather balloon – to b launched on April 22 - will travel. The best guess will earn one person a place on the Space Expedition Corporation Lynx spaceship. TURKISH business people have raised visa delay problems with Eamon Gilmore, the issue is a major factor in Turkish Airlines’ expansion plans in Ireland. SOUTHWEST has introduced a new no show policy means some fliers will forfeit their fares if they fail to show up for a flight BA’s French subsidiary OpenSkies is to launch service to Chicago, Dallas and Miami in 2013.
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THE FLYING COLUMN
Aviation with Gerry O’Hare
AER ARANN
parent Stobart is in the midst of a prolonged boardroom battle, with Andrew Trinkler facing contempt proceedings.
BREMEN Last month was the 75th anniversary of James FitzMaurice and Hermann Kohl’s first successful East to West trans-Atlantic crossing from Baldonnel to Quebec aboard the Bremen. BOEING said they are ready to build seven Dreamliners a month by mid-year. SITA
said the aviation industry is losing fewer bags.
AER LINGUS has signed an agreement with Novair to operate a northern winter charter from Stockholm to the Caribbean for three years from 2014. Aer Lingus will not repaint its aircraft. RYANAIR reported 2pc growth in passengers (sold seats) in April compared to last year. Half of Easter traffic was in March this year: none last year. The seat factor was unchanged at 81pc. Passengers for the past 12 months were 79.4m.
KLM is to inaugurate its new World Busi-
ness Class cabin, featuring a full-flat seat in July. Designed by Hella Jongerius it wil be fitted on all of KLM’s Boeing 747-400 fleet by April 2014 and on of KLM’s 15 Boeing 777s afterwards.
ETIHAD announced two surprise new partners, Jet Airways and Air Canada. had has extended a low-interest loan of US$300m to Jet Airways to help the Indian carrier reduce its borrowing costs. RYANAIR is to add routes from the Ca-
naries next winter to Stockholm Vasteras, Stockholm Nyköping, Karlstad, Oslo-Torp, Rygge and Aarhus. Tenerife-Vasteras is about 200 miles shorter than Shannon-Boston.
LITHUANIA’s Minister of Transport,
Rimantas Sinkevi ius, reacted to the reduction of the number of flights from Kaunas by Rynair by saying Ryanair has been behaving as if Lithuania was not a member of the European Union, but rather the Kingdom of Zulu.
IAA The Irish Aviation Authority recorded
an operating profit of €22.9m last year, up 27pc on 2011.
787 The Dreamliner is close to flying again
after the American FAA approved a battery fix.
PRE-CLEARANCE Airlines for America wants the Department of Homeland Security to scrap plans to establish preclearance at Abu Dhabi. FLY Leasing published its annual report for
2012, reporting that its fleet totalled 109 commercial jet aircraft with a net book value of over $2.6bn on lease to 55 airlines in 32 countries. These consist mainly of B737NG and A320 family aircraft.
FLYBE has marked the tenth anniversary of its service between Exeter and Dublin.
Richard Quest instroduces Willie Walsh CEO of IAG, Christophe Mueller CEO of Aer LIngus, James Davison CEO of Farelogix, David Barger CEO of jetblue and Montie Brewer former CEO of Air Canada at the Centre for Aviation Policy conference in Powerscourt
Changing game
A
Willie Walsh plots new role for legacy airlines
re airlines are buying too many planes? The question provided a sharp discussion at the Centre for Aviation Policy conference in Powerscourt last month. Aer Lingus CEO Christophe Mueller said he believes that more aircraft retirements will be needed to restore balance in the industry. “The number of aircraft produced over the next fifteen years will be more than demand if you assume a normal lifespan,” he said. Mr Mueller also expressed concerns about the financing of aircraft: “The industry is chronically short of equity.” IAG chief Willie Walsh said that the industry is changing. that “fuel prices are high and this means more of the cost base is variable. Capacity comes out faster than it used to. I am very optimistic about the outlook for the industry.” He said he was not worried about the number of aircraft on order, since many are going to Asia in underserved markets. “Europe and North America, in the past the big regions for aircraft orders, are showing
greater restraint. Willie Walsh said “we have gone from an industry that had very high fixed costs into an industry that has come to terms with those costs. There is much more discipline being imposed on the industry that there used to be. Capacity comes out of the industry much faster today than it did ten years ago.” Dave Barger of JetBlue said “the US industry has self-policed itself to being close to the right size”. He said the example of Emirates growing its A380 service into New York JFK is good news for JetBlue as it increases the potential feed into its domestic US network. Willie Walsh lamented the decisions of regulators, who can only be influenced to some extent, and what he calls “the bits we can’t control”. For example, fears of an outbreak of bird flu in Apr-2013 caused IAG shares to drop by 8% in a day. “Fuel is at least 30pc, with some low cost carriers, probably 50pc of their total costs.“ He cited the falling number of new
start airlines since the global financial crisis as evidence of higher barriers to entry, resulting from the scarcity of capital. In a question from the audience, this was challenged by Professor Rigas Doganis who said that barriers to entry are still too low, that aircraft are still too easily available and barriers to exit are too high. He conceded that the situation may be better than it was 10 years ago, but pointed to the proliferation of new low-cost carriers in southeast Asia as evidence that barriers to entry remain low. He said barriers to exit, such as Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US and government support in other parts of the world, help to protect airlines that otherwise would have disappeared. For example, JAL received a total of around USD10bn in government funds, more than the forecast annual net profits of the entire industry this year.
RYANAIR RESERVES 2 MORE ROWS
R
yanair has extended its reserved seating service from six to eight rows on all aircraft . Rows 32 and 33, wil be added to the scheme, which will allow up to 45 passengers per flight to pre-book their preferred seats on 8 reserved rows (1, 2, 5, 15, 16, 17, 32 and 33). Ryanair’s reserved seat-
ing service includes priority boarding. It allows passengers to reserve seats in the front or rear of the aircraft (for a quick getaway on arrival) and on over-wing rows (for greater legroom) and also offers families and groups of passengers the chance to sit together on 4 other rows.
The reserved seating service costs 10 each way and 15 on longer routes to/from Canary Islands. Since November, Ryanair passengers have been able to reserve their preferred seats across six rows at the front of the aircraft for a prompt exit on arrival, at over-wing exits for extra legroom, and on
rows 5 and 15. reserved seating is likely to interfere with Ryanair’s famous twenty minute turnaround but has proved an important source of new revenue. It is available to book on Ryanair.com both at the time of flight booking and when checking-in online.
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JUNE 2013 PAGE 39
THE FLYING COLUMN Aviation with Gerry O’Hare RYANAIR T/A RYANAIR-LINGUS QUERIED
M
uch of interest has emerged in the London Competition commissioner investigation into the implications of Ryanair’s takeover of Aer Lingus.
During the investigation hearings, DAA told the enquiry that taxes and charges imposed by Ryanair and Aer Lingus and passed on to customers do not reflect their actual cost. Air
France and Lufthansa said that Aer Lingus remains an attractive takeover target, if not for them.
The 300k pax plan Aer Arann take delivery of first of new ATR aircraft
Michael O'Leary said that Ryanair is still thinking of launching a trans-Atlantic service by 2018
AMERICAN Airlines revealed their new Sales Support and Groups telephone number for Irish Travel trade: +353-15319305 TUI-Thomson, the parent of Falcon Holidays, announced plans to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from London to Mauritius and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from 2014. It had already announced plans to fly the 787 to Phuket and Florida. TUI had hoped to take delivery of its first Dreamliner next month, but the aircraft remains grounded due to mechanical concerns. REPTRAK A RepTrak survey of Ireland’s most reputable firms showed Aer Lingus 22nd and Ryanair 99th DAVY’s tipped Ryanair shares to hit
€7.50
as controlled growth predicted.
SINGAPORE's Changi Airport was
named the world's best in an annual poll of more than 12 million travellers.
Photograph of the first of eight new Aer Arann ATR72-600's in Aer Lingus Regional livery, was taken by Mike Kelly as it touched down after its delivery flight from Toulouse to Dublin
A
er Arann took delivery last month of the first of eight new ATR72-600's. The aircraft is the first of eight ATR 72-600s ordered by Aer Arann in a 144m contract to replace the older existing fleet of ATR72-200s and ATR42s. The other seven are scheduled to be delivered over the next 11 months, part of the airline’s ‘new beginning’ strategy, which aims to double passenger numbers to 2m and position Aer Arann among Europe’s top tier of regional airlines.
The airline plans new routes and increased frequencies from Dublin to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester, increasing passenger numbers by 300,000 by the end of 2014 and bringing the airline's route network to 24. Aer Arann operates Aer Lingus Regional under a franchise agreement with Aer Lingus, which was recently extended until 2022. The new aircraft will be branded Aer Lingus Regional and will operate some of the key routes on the Aer Lingus Regional schedule to include
services to London Southend, Manchester and Birmingham. “This investment is part of a new beginning at the airline, which included a suite of measures to grow the company,” said Sean Brogan, interim chief executive officer of Aer Arann "The arrival of these new sircraft will enable Aer Arann to further expand our regional offering and to support the addition of new routes and frequencies on existing routes.
757s WILL BE AIR CONTRACTORS
M
ore details have emerged of Aer Lingus plans to leases 3 Boeing 757s for transatlantic operations. with the first aircraft coming early next year (possibly January) and all three by summer.
The flight crew will be from Air Contractors and the cabin crew Aer Lingus. These will help to support Shannon frequencies and release an A330 to expand the Dublin route network. As first reported by Travel Extra, the B757s
will operate the ShannonBoston and New York services. A330 is likely to operate Dublin to the San Francisco area and possibly San Jose if the IT industry is sufficiently supportive. The third B757 will be
used on a new DublinToronto route. Aer Lingus and Air Canada continue to have a strong relationship with code-sharing to start shortly in addition to an interline agreement.
OVERNIGHT CHECK IN AT DUBLIN
A Now available overnight form Aer LIngus
er Lingus has launched a facility for checking in luggage the night before an early morning flight. Customers can also pur-
chase Heathrow Express train tickets while booking their flight in one transaction on aerlingus.com.
CABIN MAX announced two new items of luggage, one designed to fit Ryanair's stringent carry-on restrictions, expanding to adapt to more generous airlines and what they claim is world's lightest trolley bag, weighing just 1.45kg but still holding 44 litres of luggage. See www.gadgetsuk.com. AER LINGUS codeshare with Jet-
blue has been given US regulatory approval..
BA British Airways resumed flights to Sri Lanka with three flights a week from Heathrow to Colombo, via the Maldives. The airline moves from five fights daily to eight daily on Dublin-Heathrow next month BA revealed the most popular seats on a standard Boeing 747 aircraft, four pairs of seats: 51B/51C, 52B/52C, 51H/51J and 52 H/52J, AER ARANN is expecting delivery of the first of eight new ATR 72-600s in two weeks and after that, at a rate of one a month. CITYJET CEO Christine Ourmières said she is impressed with the caliber of bidders for Air France-KLM subsidiary. RYANAIR will operate Dublin-Bremen 3w from September 18. AER LINGUS commenced operations on the 1,800-kilometre route from Belfast City to Palma de Mallorca in addition to the Málaga and Faro flights launched over the previous fortnight. EU RULES Michael O’Leary claimed EU rules governing the air travel market are “communist” during a press conference to mark the opening of two new destinations in Strasbourg. ALMUNIA Joaquin Almunia, speaking in Washington, rejected Ryanair’s view that the blocking of its takeover of Aer Lingus was a political decision,
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€
JUNE 2013 PAGE 40
THE FLYING COLUMN AER LINGUS have received an extra A320 arrived for summer lease by Aer Lingus (Spanish-registered, all-white) as additional back-up.
UNITED Airlines has signed a new network agreement and committed $150m in investment at Newark. From Newark Liberty, United offers more than 400 flights daily to more than 150 destinations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including flights from Belfast, Dublin and Shannon to New York/Newark. United also offers flights from Dublin to Washington DC and Shannon to Chicago O’Hare June to August,
Aviation with Gerry O’Hare
Two A350s in 2015
RYANAIR was fined
€420,000 by Italian authorities for failing to improve the transparency of its website. The airline was fined about €400,000 last month by the Netherlands Consumer Authority for similar reasons.
SAS reported its app has been downloaded 100,000 times since launch Apr 9 ranked as the no 1 free app in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. VIRGIN launched a new seat-to-seat de-
livery service so you can send drinks or food over to that fellow passenger you had your eye on at the gate
AIR FRANCE began flights to Mon-
tevideo last month, its ninth destination in South America. Only TAP Portugal serves more points in South America from Europe with 11 although Iberia have more weekly flights with 71 versus 79 for TAP and 65 for Air France. European carriers have 75pc of the non-stop market, with KLM and Lufthansa the fastest-growing. This summer there will be around 540 weekly non-stop flights from airports in Europe to airports in South America, up about 6pc when compared with 2011.
JET2 has resumed normal service from Belfast International Airport after two days of disruption when Jet2 operated services temporarily from Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport. EMIRATES is to operate a second daily, non-stop Airbus A380 service from Dubai to Bangkok from October 27. Emirates will also be strengthening is commitment to Hong Kong with the launch of a fourth daily service from Dubai. UNITED Airlines has launched a Sustain-
able Supply Chain initiative in an effort to better understand the environmental performance of its suppliers and deepen relationships with its key supply chain partners
IAA is considering buying a 12pc stake in English NATS when it is put up for sale by Thomas Cook and Thomson Airways
AMADEUS research showed that low cost airlines have a 39pc market share in Europe, a higher proportion than anywhere else. UNITED Airlines is to save 85m gallons of fuel in 2013, equivalent to 828,750 metric tons of CO2 or roughly $275m at current fuel prices
Christophe Mueller reveals delivery schedule Airbus A350 gives Aer Lingus more options on the lopng-haul routes it seeks as the high-profile lease from Virgin he projected delivery dates for cant backtracking over Europe. Instead Aer Lingus will build part- Atlantic. Aer LIngus A350s are two in “Carriers are attracted to Aer Lin2015,; four in 2016 and three nerships like those with United Airgus' low operating cost at a time when in 2019, according to CEO lines and JetBlue Airways. United and Aer Lingus have recip- short-haul services are bleeding.” Christophe Mueller. Aer Lingus has no risk sharing on Mr Mueller told the Centre of Avi- rocal codesharing, including on transflights (except for the Virgin Atlantic deal under which ation Policy conference in Power- Atlantic Aer Lingus wet-leases four A320s to scourt that Aer Lingus was looking to Newark-Dublin). Aer Lingus codeshares on JetBlue Virgin Atlantic to operate on Anglowet-lease smaller aircraft to expand frequencies and overall destinations flights. JetBlue does not yet code- Scottish domestic services branded as share on any other carriers' flights but Little Red. in the US. Aer Lingus will offer further wetThe aircraft recently confirmed expects to have its first two-way leases of narrowbody aircraft as well three 757-200s, which Aer Lingus codeshare in 2013. United also codeshares on some of as look to use its long-haul A330s could use them to open a Toronto route and replace some of its existing Aer Lingus' cross-channel services during the northern winter when it thinner A330 routes from Shannon to (including to London Heathrow), giv- pulls back US capacity. From 2010 to 2012 Aer Lingus opallow the A330s to be re-deployed, ing United greater virtual access. Aer Lingus codeshares on JetBlue erated A330s from Washington including a proposed flight to San out of Boston and New York, and on Dulles to Madrid as a year-round Francisco. He said that Aer Lingus would not United out of Chicago and Washing- service in partnership with United. CAPA analysis Aer Lingus enjoys be rejoining an alliance “I would have ton Dulles. United codeshares include a partner portfolio of at least 50pc that destinations in Canada. Some domes- 50pc capacity share on the Irelandwould be inactive. The high time of tic US destinations (like Denver) have US market with an approximate duralliances is over in terms of value to connecting opportunities on both ing the peak northern season and as the customer and the cost-benefit re- United and JetBlue, but such overlap high as 60pc during the off-season is rare. when US carriers end seasonal servlationship.” Aer Lingus has moved in to Jet- ices. Aer Lingus is focused on the 70m CAPA says Aer Lingus' connecting Irish diaspora, which is spread across Blue's purpose-built Terminal Five at JFK. Another JetBlue partner, Hawai- network is helped by early arrivals: North America, Asia and Australia. 05:10 from New York (with another Mr Mueller said Aer Lingus' part- ian Airlines, also uses T5. This has helpted JetBlue offset its arrival at 08:55) into Dublin and nership with Etihad Airways enables Aer Lingus to reach destinations it operating costs and facilitates 06:00 into Shannon. Likewise Boston arrives at Dublin would have almost never been able to smoother and faster transfers as previously passengers had to connect be- at 05:15 and 08:00 into Dublin with a serve on its own. Not only do the distances in Asia tween T4 (Aer Lingus' former 06:00 arrival into Shannon. Chicago and Australia require a different fleet, terminal at JFK) and T5 by walking flights arrive into Dublin at 05:15 and but Aer Lingus would be disadvan- outdoors or using the shuttle AirTrain. 09:25. Orlando arrives into Dublin at Mr Mueller says a number of carri- 08:15. taged for any connecting traffic due to its Irish hub necessitating signifi- ers are interested in wet-leases such
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Travel Counsellors Cpnference 2013 What they said DAVID SPEAKMAN Everything can be done by computers but not emotion. What you have to sell is emotion, be in emotion not in process. STEVE BYRNE Personal works. It
is powerful stuff
ANTHONY IANNARINO There is no middle ground in sales, either you care or you do not care. Travel Counsellors Irish team: Bernie Whelan, Cathy Burke and Ciara MacConnell
Room for growth
Travel Counsellors founder says number can double
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ravel Counsellors can double its market share in Ireland over the coming years and aims to have more than 100 counsellors working here, according to the group’s founder David Speakman. The group currently weill 52 Counsellors in Ireland by mid-summer and 35 in Northern Ireland.” “We are just scratching the surface,” David said during a press briefing during the Travel Counsellors conference. “We believe our penetration is very low in Ireland and the UK. The penetration in the two socio economic
groups that provide us with most of our business is about 0.1pc. “ “There is more than enough business to go around, We just need recruits. The best time to recruit, to set your own business is in a recession. Then you are in charge of your own destiny.“ “Ireland offers a fantastic opportunity for our model. Cathy Burke leads our team fantastically well. We are going to put more effort in to recruiting.”We are well established in this market place we want to make sure that we grow the business much more
strongly.” Cathy Burke says that Irish Travel Counsellors have the highest margins in the world, the highest sales per TC in the world and the highest market share in the world. Travel Counsellor sales in Ireland were up 8pc to March, and the average margin 11.10pc. Sales through their custombuilt GDS Phenix were up 55pc. The team had five babies in the past 12 months with another on the way. Jennifer O’Brien became a new gold counsellor last month.
TRAVEL COUNSELLORS ACADEMY COMES HERE
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ravel Counsellors in Ireland is to recruit its first new members from outside the industry. Ireland manager Cathy Burke says that two people have signed up for the first Travel Counsellors academy. They will pay €8,000 to underrtgo a training
oourse. “We are looking for mature people,” Cathy says, “but they have to be socially adept. They have contacts, CEOs all over the place and have traveled extensively.” “What we really want is knowledge and relationships,” David Speakman says. “They are not
travel agents, they are well traveled and they are good at relationships. Why not take them on, as long as you don’t spoil the brand.” “We started the academy in England because we thought there was a dearth of new recruits. That is no loner the case”
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find out what we do. We give the best support in the world.” “We have one staff member to every five travel counsellors around the world. You will get better support as a travel counsellor than in any other business.” David Speakman says:
ANTHONY IANNARINO Do you think rich people have recessions? You guys having a recession, call me when you are done because I am busy booking people right now. DAVID SPEAKMAN Ireland is doing well it just has too much debt, Disposable income in Ireland has been set back five years to 2006 levels, can you settle for that? ANTHONY IANNARINO The secret to happiness is relationships. Life is love. DAVID SPEAKMAN People need someone they can trust. The success of Tripadvisor proves people are looking for advice. They can’t trust Tripadviser, Mrs Jones who has never been to a hotel saying what a great hotel it is. ANTHONY IANNARINO With Tripadviser people who leave recommendations have no context to leave these recommendations against. DAVID SPEAKMAN If you don’t like change you will like irrelevance even less. STEVE BYRNE Without a business model you have got no business. ANTHONY IANNARINO quoting WB Yeats): Being Irish he had an abiding sense of tragedy which sustained him through temporary periods of joy. ANNABEL COVE Sales for trips to see the northern lights with dosomethingdifferent.com are going through the roof.
David Speakman
BACK-UP STAFF RATIO IS 1 TO 5
ravel Counsellors CEO Steve Byrne says that the high level of back-up is what differentiates Travel Counsellors form other commission-only sales models. “When someone asks to join us, we always say please speak to any travel counsellor you like and
DAVID SPEAKMAN It is not about the price but about the value you bring to the table. 1,400 travel agents closed in England because they did not change, they did not understand .
“We believe in as much process as possible. The people on the ground are the people who would provide the emotion and the interface between travel counsellor and customer. Al the administration is taking off them. That is our model. We are putting the function in the core and al
the emotion is left to the travel counsellor. We have 20 developers, 6 project manager, 42 IT developers. That is not to do connectivity with the customer, we defer to the customer.
KIRSTEN HUGHES We are giving you the tools to be a tour operator ANTHONY IANNARINO Without
a network knowledge is nearly useless. Knowledge is your power source, but relationships are your nerve centre. You get value with your knowledge, but it becomes real when you share it with your network.
DAVID SPEAKMAN Don’t listen to anyone else in the industry because they are closing down. ANTHONY IANNARINO Good questions are better than good statements.
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GLOBAL VILLAGE
Inside the Travel Business
SKAL World president of Skål Mok Singh and his wife attended the Dublin Skal dinner at the Westin Hotel in Dublin on Tuesday. Next Dublin lunch is at Buswells on Tuesday May 14. Skål Is targeting prospective members in the various sectors of the travel industry to arrest a decline in membership, areas of concern include the Mayo Club’s survival and the possible regeneration of the Lakelands Club
TIGS Ten new members played in the first Travel Industry Gold Society outing of the year at Druids Glen on Wednesday, indicating a revival in interest in the Dublin-based society. SOUTH AFRICA Tourism’s An-
drew Sharpe said at the Travel Counsellors Conference that the South African training module for Irish agents would be relaunched in the coming months.
DISNEY Dublin’s Disney Offices have
moved to Pavilion House, 31/32 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Phone +353 (0)1 6191128, Fax +353 (0)1 6618 900
AMADEUS customer wins and re-
newals announced this month include RCSI Travel, Roscrea Travel, and Navan Travel. Amadeus has appointed Fionn Wilson O’Keeffe to its Dublin-based team. Amadeus has been granted a second loan from the European Investment Bank, worth <eu>150m. This is to help finance R and D activities in its distribution business line between 2013 and 2015.
BRAND USA, the tourism marketing body for the United States of America, launched the third phase of the global campaign ‘Land of Dreams’ in conjunction with Expedia.
INSIGHT Vacations has launched its 2013/14 Winter Europe brochure, including the Eastern Mediterranean and Christmas Markets The brochure features 35 premium autumn, winter and spring escorted journeys. New to the collection is the 9-day Alpine Christmas Market itinerary which travels through the winter landscapes of Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland. WORLDCHOICE General Man-
ager Garry Zancanaro says that a membership benefit is having access to improved commercial terms with hundreds of UK tour operators through our relationship with Worldchoice UK and The Travel Network Group. This means than on those occasions when our members need to book with a UK supplier, they will most likely earn more than just basic commission, even if they’ve never booked with that supplier before. To ensure Worldchoice members gain maximum benefit from both their membership and our commercial agreements, all centrally collected overrides are transparently paid back to members for their sales. Worldchoice members definitely receive unique commercial benefits that significantly boost their profitability. Worldchoice Ireland is undergoing a complete organisational review with the aim of providing even more unique benefits to members and these findings will be presented to members during the Summer.”
The ITAA team: Fionnuala Carter, Pat Dawson, Clare Dunne, Jean Maxwell, Gary Melia
Granada bound
ITAA plans conference megafam after conference
M
ore details of the ITAA conference in Granada on October 10-13 have emerged. The conference will include a mega-fam for which agents will travel on the light leg of a charter service. The plan is to create as many opportunities for agency employees to join the managers and owners at the
conference, something that was a feature of the ITAA conferences twenty years ago. The Association has been talking to airlines and ITOF to implement a more ambitious set of pre and post fams as part of the conference programme. “Our goal is that a lot of members and counter staff will be invited out
to see the product.” Pat Dawson, CEO of the ITAA says. “In future we intend more regular fam trips as part of our conference programme.” Antonio Martin of Andalusia Tourism, a big supporter of the Irish travel trade will host an Andalucia evening in Dublin this month.
ALL BUT ONE LICENSE RENEWED
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he Commission for Aviation Regulation has approved 104 renewals from 105 license applicants in the spring 2013 licensing round for travel trade renewals. There is one expired li-
cense, Joseph O’Brien, Ardcavan, Co Wexford, one non-renewal ,Accommodation Finders Ltd, while French Freedom Holidays trading from Scunthopre in England ceased trading from April
5th. The Commission for Aviation Regulation has revoked licence number 0630 and called down the bond that was held by French Freedom Holidays Limited trading as Welcome
France. Passengers that have made bookings for forward travel may be entitled to make a claim from the bond.
100 NEW JOBS IN TRAVEL INDUSTRY
I
reland’s travel industry is to create 100 new jobs this summer.. Two ITAA members have opened new branches recently, John Cassidy Travel in Dublin and Trailfinders in Limerick. ITAA CEO Pat Dawson says members have reported in-
creased bookings this year of over 8pc compared with year-to-date 2012 sales, showing that “the industry is in recovery.” Different members of the Irish Travel Agents Association are searching for 25 new staff from sales to administration to help deal
with the increase in activity in the travel sector. Among the airlines and tour operators and travel agents currently recruiting staff are: British Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, American Holidays, Sunway Holidays, The Travel Broker, BCD Travel,
GOHOP.IE, Carlson Wagonlit Dublin, Joe Walsh Tours, Travel Counsellors, George Barter Travel, Emer Hannon Travel Services and John Galligan Travel.
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Inside the Travel Business
GLOBAL VILLAGE
Noeleen Lynch and Martina Hnidiakova at the launch of the ITAA Skillsnet programme
On a single screen T
-
Travelport launches Merchandising Platform
ravelport have launched their new Merchandising Platform, a product they say is a gamechanger for GDS systems throughout the industry. Travelport say the major advantage for agents from the Merchandising Platform is improved access to the full range of airline products, including ancillary services. At its European launch in Powerscourt this month, the product was endorsed by launch customer Easyjet. Aggregated Shopping with EasyJet enabled Travelport-connected agents to sell all EasyJet fares and ancillaries, including those that were previously only available on the carrier’s website. According to Fergal Kelly, Travelport’s Cork-based Vice President of content, the product has been four years in the planning and will change the booking process for travel agents, who can now access all their information, including fares and ancillaries, without opening a separate screen or launching a separate transaction. There are also advantages for airlines, who can differentiate and collate their distribution between GDS and other channels more easily. Travelport says will "transform" the way airlines deliver their products and the way products are displayed to travel agents. “Travelport Merchandising Platform is a ‘sea change’ in the travel industry and truly differentiates us from our competitors. We are the only GDS encouraging airlines to connect in any way they want.” in any way they want.”
Ian Heywood, Travelport's head of global supplier strategy and Fergal Kelly Vice President content at the launch Travelport says the Merchandising Platform provides three retailing solutions, : ■ Travelport Aggregated Shopping Consolidates within the same screen shopping results for traditional carriers who connect through ATPCO and those with whom Travelport has an API connection so there is no need to duplicate shopping requests and compare across several screens. Travelport says it is the only GDS that allows agencies to shop both types of carriers in a single display and booking flow. Aggregated Shopping gives airlines the ability to distribute their content in the way they choose to, and for travel agents to be able to sell this through a consistent, efficient workflow. ■ Travelport Ancillary Services Enables travel agents to sell airline ancillaries within their existing workflow so there is no need to navigate to airline.com to offer the full range of products for carriers that
choose to do so. ■ Travelport Rich Content and Branding (to be launched late 2013) allows airlines to communicate the value of their products through the agency community. Travel agents have access to all of the information on an airline’s product within the booking flow improving efficiency, levels of service and the ability to make informed travel choices. Travelport offered examples of the implementation of its Merchandising Platform, including: ■ Air Canada: Travelport Agencia aggregates content provided via an API connection with ATPCO filed fares to allow Travelport customers to access and sell all products sold by Air Canada, including ancillaries and fare families. ■ KLM Economy Comfort Seating: connectivity via industry standards joined with Travelport’s own approach to allow KLM to describe its product. Travelport say they are the first GDS to enable a complete transaction for KLM Economy Comfort seating using Electronic Miscellaneous Documents. This product is available now. ■ British Airways: connectivity via API. Travelport enabled agents can book pre-paid seating on BA flights for the first time through the GDS channel, using their usual desktop and workflow processes. ■ Ancillary services from Alitalia, Air New Zealand and Aegean using ATPCO filed ancillary services fulfilled via Electronic Miscellaneous Document.
TRAVEL CENTRES have negotiated a deal with Travel Training Solutions to provide dedicated sales training for member agents. The agency grouping has already signed up its first client Best4Travel, which has offices in Dunshaughlin, Finglas, Navan and Drogheda. The deal follows trial training sessions which took place recently in Dublin. CEO Dominic Burke stated ‘this training will provide our affiliated agents with the kind of sales training that will help give them a competitive edge in the marketplace, recognising tyre kickers, managing the amount of information that is given out and dealing with the increasing number of enquiries that are coming in via the email channel. This is just the first in a series of new initiatives being rolled out by the Waterford-based consortium in 2013.” WORLDCHOICE have completed a round of agreements with new business partners, including Travel Focus, Wings Abroad, Mercury Direct, Riviera Travel and Low Cost Beds. The consortium with has 57 members, including 12 in Northern Ireland. Irish MD of lowcostbeds, Clem Walshe said "any agreement we enter into is designed to deliver on increasing sales and profitability for both lowcost and the agency member.” The agreement will see lowcostbeds providing Worldchoice members with a range of commercials DOSOMETHINGDIFFERENT
Annabel Cove and Stephen Bradshaw of Dosomethingdifferent.com are to host agents at a party on Thursday May 23rd, highlighting three major incentives from the ticket specialists’ to help allay the fears of prospective buyers of Orlando theme park tickets: NO deposits, NO amendment fees and NO cancellation charges. Among the surprise big ticket sales for 2013-14 are trips to see the Northern Lights next winter.
THOMAS COOK are adding extra Monday flights June to August to Reus(7.50) and Menorca (14.45), They are also adding a new property: CYE Marina in Costa Dorada 200m from the beach. BOOKABED signed ‘Preferred’ supplier deals in England with Advantage Travel Centres and The Travel Network Group and in addition have signed up to their respective electronic payment systems (CAPS and TAPS/ACAS), with all payments being made on a ‘post departure’ basis. DISCOVER Travel has become the GSA in Ireland for Travel Indochina Small Group Tours STENA Line has appointed Ian Davies as the Route Manager with responsibility for the Rosslare – Fishguard and Dublin Port/Dun Laoghaire – Holyhead services. TRAVEL DEPARTMENT
Brendan Breen was appointed MD of Travel Department.
TRAVELPORT Robbie Smart will be joining Travelport from Cassidy Travel and Tara Hynes from British Airways
€
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WINDOW SEAT
Bali: Everything I imagined it would be and more
Busman’s holiday: Paul Carty
Every month we ask a leading travel professional to write about their personal holiday experience. This month: Paul Carty, CEO ofGuinness Storehouse and recently elected new chairman of ITIC, the Irish Travel Industry Confederation.
I
have been very fortunate in my career in International hotel management to have lived in some diverse countries. I lived in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, Singapore in Asia and in many parts of the UK. Singapore is an ideal base to explore South East Asia and beyond. I first went to Bali in Indonesia in 1997 as part of a conference with my employers at that time – Le Meridien Hotels. No hardship here I assure you! What a great place to be sent on a conference. Bali was everything that I
O
imagined it would be and more. The crystal clear waters, the gentleness of the people and the cultural heritage are what made it one of my favourite places to visit.
I returned to Bali another three times with my wife and three children to experience this wonderful place with them. Singapore to Bali was only a short flight and the local airlines offered great fares. Since I came back to Ireland I have to say my favourite winter holiday destination is now anywhere in the Canaries. They are close enough to Ireland and offer guaranteed sunshine. I was in Lanzarote in March this year and simply loved it. The weather was glorious, the staff in the hotel were friendly and efficient, the food and beverage facilities were great and I came back refreshed and topped up with vitamin C! As a red headed Irish man, I love hol-
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
ne airline dominates the charts when it comes to opening the new routes for the summer schedules that have been launched in recent weeks. Ryanair are so far ahead of their nearest rivals, Norwegian, that if this was a sports competition the bookies would pay out immediately. An airline that started when a 15seater Bandeirante aircraft took off from Waterford for Gatwick airport
in 1985 is continuing to grow like gangbusters. Some of the new routes they are operating offer us an intriguing vista, Stockholm to Tenerife is not much short of the distance as Shannon to Boston. Sadly none of these new routes are from Ireland. While the politicians preach to us about the value of the gathering they are ignoring an airline that has become the engine of tourism growth all through
Europe. Ryanair are difficult to deal with, but then so are most of the people making money from Irish tourism. Irish hoteliers are already facing the prospect of handing over 20pc of this summer’s revenue to online travel agents based in Connecticut and Atlanta. Perhaps next time Enda Kenny takes the road down to Dublin he might use the M4 and stop by Mullingar.
idaying at home in the summer. I believe there are parts of Ireland that can match or surpass any other part of the world. One of my favourite places is Kinsale, Co Cork where I enjoy great restaurants, bars and the famous Scilly walk. Ireland has become very competitive with our tourist offer, e.g. hotels and restaurants. We have an amazing selection of restaurants and gastro pubs offering the finest of Irish ingredients cooked by chefs that are world class and can match the best of cuisine on offer anywhere in the world. I have been going to Kinsale for over 35 years now and feel like it is a second home to me. Kinsale has a magical touch about it – it almost feels like a Spanish hamlet. There’s nothing I like more than sitting on the wall, enjoying a drink outside the Bullman pub whilst my dog dips in and out of the water.
IN YOUR NEXT TRAVEL EXTRA: Available to Travel Agents or online June 24 2013
CANARIES ISSUE Lanzarote Gran Can Tenerife Fuerteventura WINTERSUN TRENDS
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Out and about with the Travel Trade
JUNE 2013 PAGE 45
MEETING PLACE
night in Vanilla, Karen Helen Hendley and Mary McCormack from Sun- Niamh Quinlan Travel Counsellors an At the Sunway Oscars d Marian yn thr Ka lity Benton Map Travel at na rso pe ys, TV way Holidays at the Sunway Oscars night the Huritgruten comme Keogh of British Airwa ay. monw Su ration of Tom Crean in d Tanya Airey of Dun Laoghaire Thomas, Philip Airey an
Elaine Massey, Erica Arc her and Sinead McGrane at the Sunway Oscars night
d and Mandy Walsh at Karen Maloney of Etiha ta land conference in Fo Travel Counsellors Ire
Denise Breen and Am anda Hynes from Ameri can Holidays at United Air lines first anniversary party for the Dublin to Washi ngton DC service
Sarah McCarthy and Val Gunn with Eamon Flanagan of Air Canada at Travel Counsellors Ireland conference in Fota
Connolly from Falcon Leila McCabe and Orla sellors Ireland conferHolidays at Travel Coun ence in Fota
Tony Brazil from Limerick Travel, and Declan Power from Shannon Airport at the Great Lakes/United Airlines event in Limerick
Jean Claffey and Áine Dunne from Joe Walsh tours at United Airlines first anniversary party for the Dublin to Washing ton DC service
Liz Wright, Jen O'Neill and Letizia Nsartori from Tour America at United Airlines first anniversary party
y Club Travel, Lisa Coad Louise Brennan from b Clu m fro e nn Wy rah d Sa from Budget Travel an rty pa s first anniversary Travel at United Airline
der- Rita Gaughan, Sinead Carne, Mary McGrath and Cona Moore, Teresa South, Audrey Begley ne Nolan. Justine Bro and Mary Conway from Cre Emma Hallahan, Yvon ation Travel. at the Gr T at United Airlines Pamela O’Loughlin all from Limerick Travel. at CW m fro eat n ela Wh La a kes Lis /United Airlines event ick, and the Great Lakes/United Airlines event in Limerick in Limerick rty pa ary ers niv an t firs
Danny Giles and Maxin e Dunsdon from Hurtigruten with John Gallig an at the Huritgruten commemoration of Tom Crean in Dun Laoghaire
Pamela O’Loughlin, Rita Gaughan and Sinead Carne all from Limerick Travel at the Great Lakes/United Airlines event in Limerick
n Devanney from Shanno Alex Palmer and Ciara nt eve s line kes/United Air Airport at the Great La in Limerick
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MEETING PLACE
Out and about with the Travel Trade
Quinn and Jennifer Noeleen Lynch from Atlas Travel, Kathryn McMichael English, Lorraine Travel Coun- Donnell from the Spanish Tourist Board, Monica at p ou Gr n ea ribb Ca Kathy Cashe & Lorraine Callister of Royal Dunne of Sunway at the Rossi from Abbey Travel and Martina Hnidiakova Sunway ce in Fota Island, Cork. Oscars night in Vanilla sellors Ireland conferen at the launch of the ITAA Skillnet programme
Ciara Foley from Platinu m Travel and Aoife Gregg from United Air lines at United Airlines first anniversary party for the Dublin to Washington DC service in Lillieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bo rdello,
organised the Aviation The CAPA team which , ourt, Corinne Hitching conference at Powersc e ron Ba lla nie Peter Harbison and Da
Mary Denton of Sunw ay, Shane Cullen and Margaret Fitzgerald of Killine y travel at the Sunway Oscars night in Vanilla
m Sunway, Sarah Vella fro Deirdre Sweeny from ited Un at T CW rick from CWT and Justine Brode party for the Dublin to ary ers niv an t firs Airlines e Washington DC servic
Yvonne Muldoon from United Airlines and Darach Culligan from Travel World at United Airlines first anniversary party
Martin from Project Orla Horn and Caroline commemoration of Tom en rut Travel at the Huritg Crean in Dun Laoghaire
Dave Buckley Celtic Horizon Tours, Ciara Corcoran of Celtic Horizons and Visit USA committee, Ro semary Chawke and An dre Migliarina from Kevin Kilbane former irish soccer international Gohop at Travel Coun sellors Ireland conferen and Tryphavana Cross of Las Vegas CVA at the in ce Fota Aviva
Sarah Dempsey, Nicola Keeley Doyle and Paula McCarthy of Sunway Travel Shop, Blackrock at the Sunway Oscars night
Sarah Junker from Choose Chicago, Bill Schmitt from Choose Chicago, Samuel Hancock from Choose Chicago at the United event in Limerick
Tanya McGee and Pame la Hand of Sunway, Sh eila Fredi Alvarena of Sata and Jim Vaughan of justTreacy from Falcon Ace Travel and Mary Lyne fro m split at the Portugal workshop at the Morrison Blackpool travel at the Sunway Oscars night Hotel Dublin
nway ia O Connor at the Su Des Abbott and Patric k oo ybr nn Do in Oscars night in Vanilla
Claire Somers from Am erican Holidays and Niamh Doherty from Tou r America at United Air lines first anniversary party for the Dublin to Washington DC servic e
ady re Nealon and Lisa Co Sarah Williamson, Cla an t firs s line Air ited Un from Budget Travel at niversary party
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MEETING PLACE
Out and about with the Travel Trade
rwson Travel, Sandra Bu Olivia Byrne, Linda Collins and Pamela McGuinPaul Dawson from Da on ard Bo rism Tou y Cit a lag ness from American Holidays at United Airlines Má m fro gos Quintero a fam trip lag Ma first anniversary party TB ish an Sp A the ITA
Leslie Marshall and Na talie Hanley from Tour America at United Airline s first anniversary party for the Dublin to Washi ngton DC service
s McKeever of Aer LIngu Muriel Cooke and Ruth rt ou rsc we ce at Po at the CAPOA conferen
Nizam Bulut and Onur Gul from Turkish Airline s with Elaine Geraghty at Travel Counsellors Ire land conference in Fo ta
y Flood and Erica O'Reill Paddy Dunne, Siobhan t firs s line Air ited Un at from American Holidays Dublin to Washington anniversary party for the rdello DC service in Lillie’s Bo
Sharon Knowles, Sinea d Barron, Niki Stanford, Kelly McGrath ready to head off to Southampto n this weekend for the Ro yal Caribbean WOW dance off
Daniel McCloskey of Tour America, Karl Moen of Disney, Grace Coffey of Cill Dara Travel, Elaine Crehan of Neenan Travel, Finola Quinn of Atlantic Travel, and Michelle Daffy of JustSplit Travel becoming Disney magic makers in Paris
Gillian Page from Newb ridge Travel, Rebecca Dunne from The Travel Broker, Edel Moore fro m MD Travel and Gary Me lia from ITAA on the ITA A Spanish TB fam trip to Malaga
rriWoolf and Vincent Ha Cormac O'Connell, Jon for e ntr Ce thority at the son of Dublin Airport Au ce in Powerscourt en fer con licy Aviation Po
Barry Walsh of Concorde Travel and Kathy O'sul- Denise Duffy Clondalkin Travel and Am anda Bidlivan at Travel Counsellors Ireland conference in dulph Best4Travel head for the South Au stralian Cu rrent on board Crushe Fota s Coaster at Dinsey
Siobhan Campion, Karen Crowley, Samantha O’Reilly from Falcon Travel with Sheila Hendrick Abbey Travel and Amanda Biddulph Best4Travel on the Disney magic makers programme in Paris
Cathal McGlinchey, National Sales Manager, Travelodge Ireland and Sinead Clarke from Longford.who won their Las Vegas prize
Minister of State Michael Ring, Amy Rankin of Vagabond Adventure Tours and Tracey Coughlan, Failte Ireland lunching the Wild Atlantic Way
bhan McManamy and Michael Hanahoe, Sio Ireland at the Centre for Huda Said from Tourism ce in Powerscourt. Aviation Policy conferen
Grainne Caffrey of Low cost and Garry Zanca rano of Worldchoice sig ning the Low Cost gro up’s supplier agreement
Tewolde GebreMariam, Eamon Flanagan and s at the Centre for AviaCEO of Ethiopian Airline in Powercourt. tion Policy conference
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