July/August 2023 ...continued from page 1


Page 14-16: Destination Med... what’s in the Mainland Europe


Page 32-33: The Rhodes Less


Travelled...Castles, Dolmades and beaches galore!


Page 30-31: Keeping it Fresh in Michigan... From Detroit to Mackinac Island- The Holiday Ninja covers it all.


Page 40- 51: The Big


Travel Trade Event Picture Special!


The report also suggests that over 50% of bookings were placed by new clients highlighting, not only the want to travel, but the growth in reassurance around using travel agencies; and why not? The travel agent has always been there to answer all calls regarding travel enquires, queries and tailor-made holidays yet it took the pandemic to highlight once more the invaluable work the agents provide for the travel industry and those wanting to holiday with peace of mind; a safety net in unsure times.


ABOUT US Publisher


Jonathan Adair


Jonathan@nitravelnews.com Editorial


Kirsty Johnston


Kirsty@nitravelnews.com Sarah Pickering


Sarah@nitravelnews.com Erin English


Erin@nitravelnews.com Advertising


Jordan McCluskey


Jordanm@nitravelnews.com Christine McCleery


Christine@nitravelnews.com Events


Chelsea Cousins


Chelsea@nitravelnews.com Emma McAllister


Emma@nitravelnews.com


Northern Ireland Travel News Unit 1, Windsor Business Park, 16-18 Lower Windsor Avenue, Belfast, BT9 7DW


Tel: 028 9066 6151 www.nitravelnews.com


If you would like to receive a copy of Northern Ireland Travel News posted direct to you, please contact


Christine@nitravelnews.com FOLLOW US


@nitravelnewsonline @nitravelnews @nitravelnews


With the introduction of so many new destinations across all modes of travel it is clear to see how the UK’s travel market has recovered to 90.8% of 2019 figures. That’s according to The Advantage Travel Partnership and data analyst specialist company Travelogix. The most surprising data result to surface from the global business travel review would be that business class and first class bookings are outperforming both 2019 and 2022 levels. This indicates that the predicted boom in bucket-list and luxury travel is currently underway and holidaymakers are making up for their lost travel time in style. Over recent weeks and months we have seen a huge increase in new destinations here in Northern Ireland. The news from TUI who added both Tunisia and Cyprus from Belfast International Airport to its schedule has been met with sheer delight. Travellers will be able to travel the new routes from May 2024. This comes after the news that the airline’s first flight to Florida took off from Belfast International Airport in June of this year. Two major milestones for the airline, airport and NI holidaymakers. However TUI is not the only one making moves. Ryanair improved its winter 2023 network from Belfast with the introduction of Turin, Warsaw, Lanzarote and Porto, currently on sale for October 2023. Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks have already turned their heads towards winter 24/25 with the addition of Iceland to its much anticipated schedule. Described as ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trips, the exclusive trips will take place on 5th February and 9th February 2025, the earliest the trip has ever went on sale from Belfast International Airport.


George Best Belfast City Airport has also relished in an abundance of newness from its airlines. Easyjet launched both London Luton and Manchester flights in June 2023, bringing the total number of destinations covered by the airline to six. Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport, said: “Since commencing operations at Belfast City Airport only two years ago with its route to London Gatwick, easyJet has moved from strength to strength. “The addition of flights to London Luton and Manchester further boost its presence at Belfast City Airport, providing additional choice and ease for passengers.


“These new routes not only bolster our route network but underline our commitment to meeting customer demand and offering unparalleled connectivity across the UK.” Meanwhile over at Belfast International, easyJet has just announced it will be starting flights to Egypt in October 2023.


City of Derry Airport has gained a wealth of


flights in recent weeks and months, not only has it launched the new Lourdes pilgrimages with Joe Walsh Tours, the airport also welcomed news of the new Loganair Heathrow service providing a direct route from the north west to London’s largest airport which will open 24/25 wide for connecting flights to virtually anywhere in the world! All three NI airports are now offering more choice than ever, with bookings coming in thick and fast.


From the sky to the sea, the cruise industry is witnessing newness of an unprecedented level. 2024 will see the introduction of the largest waterpark at sea as Royal Caribbean launches Icon of the Seas, NCL will welcome Norwegian Prima to


its homeport of Southampton this summer ahead of launching sister-ship Viva, Celebrity Cruises’


Apex will homeport in Southampton


Celebrity for


the


entirety of the 2024 season and a record amount of world cruises are to the seas. Cruising arguably took the largest backseat


throughout the duration of Covid-19, yet the industry has entered into one of its most busy


www.nitravelnews.com LARNACA’S BACK:


Holidaymakersfrom Belfast will be able to travel to the sun destination from 2024


UPDATES | 3


EASYJET LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO EGYPT FROM BELFAST!


FLIGHTS have gone on sale for holiday-makers travelling from Belfast to Egypt. Easyjet have launched flights to Hurghada, Egypt from Belfast International Airport, starting in October 2023. The new winter flights will take off from Tuesday 31st October, with fares currently under £200 return.


Hurghada sits on Egypts Red Sea and is renowned for its scuba diving. Find night clubs, top restaurants and traditional markets stalls within the old town of this beach resort destination.


Those wishing to experience the pyramids, Cairo, and the Valley of the Kings will find this destination closer than Sharm el-Sheikh.


Travel Warning Issued for Dominican Republic


years, with more to come in 2024/25. Speaking at The Big Travel Trade Event in June, Peter Shanks, Managing Director for the UK & Ireland of Silversea Cruises said: “It’s remarkable to think the government banned cruising and now we are about to end the year with the strongest ever selling season for cruise ever.”


The take away from the once-more expanding travel sector is to book early and with your local travel agent to get the best deals and to secure your spot on your next holidays- whether that be a city break, summer holiday or cruise.


RESEARCH by digital identity security specialists, ID Crypt Global, reveals that 70% of British passport holders say losing their EU passport has had no impact at all on their holiday experiences, dispelling fears of delays and complications for Brits heading abroad in the post-Brexit era. To discover how holding a non- EU passport is impacting the foreign holiday experience for Brits, ID Crypt commissioned a survey


of 1,542


British passport holders and started by asking how frequently they set off of foreign holidays.


The response


reveals that a quarter (25%) of us take multiple foreign holidays each year while a further 29% make sure to get away at least once a year.


Despite the predicted travel chaos in the wake of Brexit, only 20% of British


New Indian Airline to Take to


the Skies Later This Year A NEW regional India airline is set to take flight.


JettWings Airways hopes to launch later this year, and will initially start with two Embraer jets.


It aims to have its Air Operator Certificate by September, and then start flying a short time later.


TRAVELLERS have been advised to ‘exercise increased caution’ in the Dominican Republic following a spate of robberies directed at tourists.


The State Department updated its advice by issuing a level 2 travel advisory saying that there is a heightened risk of crime and an increase in sexual assaults. “Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault is a concern,” the advisory states. Visitors are warned not to try to fight back during robbery attempts.


70% Say Losing EU Passport has No Impact on Holidays


passport holders have experienced any kind of travel delays as a result of no longer being a member of the EU. Among those 20%, 14% say that the cause of the delay was immigration/ customs clearance; 5% cite security checks; 2% say that baggage claim was at the core of the delay; and 1% were held up while boarding or disembarking the plane. But an overwhelming majority of British passport holders say that holidaying in the post-Brexit era is simply business as usual. 69% say that leaving the EU has had no impact whatsoever on their holidays while 19% say that Brexit has


had a ‘somewhat negative’ impact on foreign travel and 9% say the impact has been significantly negative’. Meanwhile, 4% say that no longer holding an EU passport has actually improved the holiday experience for them.


CEO and Founder of ID Crypt Global, Lauren Wilson-Smith,


commented:


“There was a lot of concern about Brexit’s impact on the holiday enjoyment of British passport holders, but it appears that much of that concern was unnecessary.


So while some of us may have been sad to see our identity as Europeans being stripped from us, losing said EU membership is having little effect on our holiday experience.


“Perhaps that’s because the UK was always one step removed from the true EU travel experience due to insisting that passports be shown when leaving and entering the country, unlike EU nations within the Schengen Area, for example.


“Perhaps a singular ID that allowed us to traverse national boundaries could be the way forward?”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56