February 2023
www.nitravelnews.com
CONTENTS | 3
Sarah Pickering Wins Gerry O’Hare Memorial Award for Best Newcomer Journalist
NORTHERN Ireland Travel News’ very own Associate Editor, Sarah Pickering, was awarded the Gerry O’Hare Memorial Award for Best Newcomer Journalist at the recent Travel Extra Travel Journalist of the Year Awards.
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Page 42-43:
Take a trip to Philadelphia with The
Holiday NInja
through a reputable provider and this research backs up the trends we are seeing.”
... continued from Front Page
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Kirsty@nitravelnews.com Sarah Pickering
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Jordanm@nitravelnews.com Christine McCleery
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“With a tour operator such as Jet2holidays, holidaymakers are free to decide just how much contact they will have when they are away. They have their
travel agent
to provide all the information and help they need when planning their holiday and they will have a contact when they are away should they need help to further enhance their trip.
The package
the amount of package holiday enquiries
this year: “We are
definitely seeing an increase on enquiries this January. Many people have conveyed that they want their travel arrangements to be handled by a travel professional and
the
Damian Murphy, Terra Travel
holiday is most definitely back on top where it belongs.” “The days of consumers booking their flights and hotel accommodation separately are a thing of the past, says Travel Solutions’ Peter McMinn. “Consumers want to be sure that their hard-earned money is secure, and the best way to ensure that is to book a package holiday through an ATOL- licenced tour operator.” A poll of 2,000 adults, who’ve ever been abroad on holiday, found 39 per cent like having someone to arrange transfers, book accommodation, and sort the flights for them as opposed to doing it all separately. While 32 per cent consider not having to worry about anything when they reach their destination a positive – similarly 29 per cent like having one point of contact should any problems arise.
Having ATOL protection if something goes wrong (31 per cent) and getting
great value
for money (28 per cent) are also driving the demand for package holidays. “Sandra Corkin of Oasis Travel has already seen an increase in
burden of being responsible for the organisation of their own trips taken away. So many people were out of pocket trying to reschedule
The study also found the current economic climate is a factor in the surge in popularity – with 82 per cent revealing this has directly led to them considering a package break.
Similarly, further
a 28
per cent appreciate the
of
Sandra Corkin, Oasis Travel
trips over the past two years and are delighted that not only can a travel agent provide a great service but also great value.” Paul Gallagher of Downe
Travel said: “We have had a very strong start to 2023 and we have seen a huge increase in demand for package holidays. Customers realise the value in booking a package holiday as they can lock in their price with a low deposit and avail of easy payment plans coupled with financial peace of mind.”
for
A spokesperson Jet2holidays,
which
commissioned the research, said: “Brits are looking for the best value getaways, and knowing everything is taken care of for them is the icing on the cake. “Package
holidays more peace-of-mind
offer for
holidaymakers who might still be feeling uncertain after the pandemic, and they provide value and assurance to those feeling the pinch in today’s economy. “We are right in the middle of the peak booking season for holidays, and that desire for trust rings very true. Holidaymakers want to book a package holiday
transparency package
holidays and are glad they don’t have to worry about surprise hidden fees.
While 27 per cent said getaways of this kind also allow them to be completely flexible. A wander-lusting 57 per cent are adamant they’ll holiday abroad in summer 2023. The study, carried out through
OnePoll, found 36 per cent are craving the change of scenery a getaway provides. And 28 per cent are switch
keen to off
from the daily grind and forget about everyday life.
As for holiday destinations, package holidaymakers have their eye on the Greek islands as their top choice, Italy,
followed
Islands and Portugal. Nicola Allison,
by the Canary •
“Our customers are choosing to put their trust in our experienced agents and choose package holidays for the security and peace of mind they offer. Package holiday providers are constantly adding new routes from Belfast, the most recent being to Antalya with easyJet. The world continues to open up for package holidaymakers in Northern Ireland.”
for
A spokesperson Jet2holidays,
added:
“Everyone deserves a break and a package holiday booked through a trusted provider can open up the world to holidaymakers, with added convenience. “People very much have an appetite for their well-deserved holidays,
particularly after
events of the last few years, and despite the fact the purse strings may have tightened in recent months.
“Understandably, Brits are
after a trip away that doesn’t break the bank and a package holiday puts them in control of so many elements including the budget.”
TOP 10 BENEFITS OF BOOKING A PACKAGE HOLIDAY: Flight,
•
accommodation and baggage is wrapped up in one, so everything is taken care of
Nicola Allison, Hays Travel
Regional
Sales Manager at Hays Travel says the “world continues to open up for holidaymakers in Northern Ireland”. “Once again, the faith in the travel agent has exceeded all expectations,” she says. “The first Saturday of the year is always our busiest day, but bookings on Saturday 7th Jan 2023 increased five-fold compared to the same day last year.
• •
• •
• •
Don’t have to worry about anything when you reach your destination as someone is there to look after you
• Knowing that your holiday is protected through ATOL
• Having one point of customer support
Value for money
Knowing all your booking confirmations are in one place
Knowing and tailoring both your payment plans and deposit Range of holiday options
You don’t need to find the best low prices options yourself
It is easier to search for the perfect holiday
Sarah was presented her award at a stunning ceremony, held to coincide with the annual Holiday World Show, which took place at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin this weekend.
Nine other winners, each for different
PACKAGE HOLIDAY GAINS POPULARITY FOLLOWING PANDEMIC
holidaying categories, were announced on the evening at an awards dinner in Thomas Prior Hall, Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge which was attended by the cream of Irish travel and tourism writers and broadcasters. The event was sponsored by the Spanish
Tourism Office and Lanzarote Tourist Board. The award winners were chosen by a distinguished panel of senior Irish journalists.
The submissions displayed
the creativity and innovation of travel and tourism journalism in Ireland.
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