2 CONTENTS
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
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Contributors: John Trew, Nigel Heath, Robin Nowacki, Patric Baird, Andrea McVeigh, Heidi McAlpin, Ciaran Mulligan, Yasmin Latif, Vicky Richards, Ally Thompson, The Holiday NInja, Paul Clements, Michael Beattie, Natasha Warcholak, Margaret Carragher
Here Comes the Sun! Travel Solutions Holidays Take Off from City of Derry Airport
SUMMER has well and truly arrived in the North West with the take-off of Travel Solutions’ sun holidays to the Algarve and Majorca from City of Derry Airport on Wednesday 29th June. The Airport’s partnership with award-winning NI tour operator,
Travel Solutions, marks a new era in welcoming back European connectivity for family holidays, couples breaks and group getaways which has been highly desired in the North West for quite some time. The summer vibes were flowing as City of Derry Airport welcomed this year’s first Algarve and Majorca passengers with some holiday themed live music, beach-ready hospitality, and special decor and giveaways to mark the wonderful occasion. Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council, Cllr Sandra Duffy, and the Travel Solutions team joined the vibrant celebrations. Peter McMinn, Managing Director at Travel Solutions, stated:
“This is an exciting day for Travel Solutions as the first of our European charter flights depart from City of Derry Airport. It is great to see couples and families start their holiday from their local airport and we looked forward to welcoming our customers as they jet off to the sunshine.” Mr McMinn continued: “Great value holidays with the ease of travelling from City of Derry Airport is a winning combination and today’s passengers are benefiting from that.” Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport commented: “We are thrilled to welcome back European holidays for our local catchment area, particularly after what has been a difficult few years for us all. “With minimal travel time to the airport, cost-effective parking
rates, a journey time of less than 15 minutes from the carpark to your departure gate, and the best priced Airport Lounge in the UK to relax in, there is no doubt that ‘Flying Local’ will provide you with a stress-free travel experience. “At City of Derry Airport, your holiday truly starts from the moment you arrive at the airport.” Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor
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Sandra Duffy, added: “I am delighted to see the return of the Summer Sun routes at City of Derry Airport. The flights to the Algarve and Majorca offer local people all the convenience of easy parking and check in that the airport offers and significantly reduces their travel time. “It has been a turbulent few years for the aviation industry so I am particularly pleased to see further routes being added to the airport’s portfolio following the recent resumption of the Edinburgh and Manchester routes meaning passenger numbers are moving towards pre-pandemic levels again.”
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July/August 2022 Travel News Contents
2. NI Travel News’ Editorial Team back to Full Strength: Kirsty Johnston has returned alongside collegues Sarah Pickering and Erin English 4. New Belfast Route Annouced by Emerald Airlines:The airline brings travellers to Cradiff and Southampton 18. Just Back From... Galapagos Islands: Sliversea Cruises Peter Shanks takes us away on this two part trip to the Galapagos 20. The Welsh Wonders: Nigel Heath explores the Welsh countryside with wife Jenny 22. To Mongolia and Back: Richard Holmes shares the wonders of Mongolia 24-34. USA and Canada: Check out our in the know’ guide to the USA and Canada 35-37. The 30th Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards: Get involved in this anniversary awards by casting your vote in a number of categories. ( psst... there’s excellent prizes to be won!) 38-49. The Big Travel Trade Event: Check out how our two day BTTE went with this Special 32-36. Trade News: Find all the latest travel trade news including exclusive interviews from the industry experts...
News Extra
NI Travel News’ Editorial Team Returns to Full Strength Sarah Pickering has been promoted to Associate
RIN English has taken up the role of Junior Staff Journalist with NI Travel News. Erin joined the NI Travel News team in December
2021 as maternity cover and we loved her so much we have asked her to stay. Erin has already been out an about, dipping her toe into the world of travel writing with her first press trip on Wonder of the Seas in Barcelona. She has also been promoting some of Belfast’s nightlife with a review on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and exclusive interview with Ian Wilson, Chief Executive of the Grand Opera House. Erin had her first foray into the travel trade at this year’s BIG Travel Trade Event, securing an interview with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Senior Director of Sales Gary Anslow. A lover of music, she could recently be spotted in the crowd at concerts for Harry Styles, The Killers, Liam Gallagher and Lewis Capaldi (at Belsonic) and Kings of Leon. This is something she is hoping to build on within NI Travel News - keep your eyes peeled for big new things! Oh... and she always comes up with a killer headline.
Editor. Sarah joined the NI Travel News team in July 2021 and has gone from strength to strength over the past year, securing interviews with top travel industry powerhouses such as Raki Phillips from Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority; Alan Cross, Jet2holidays; Kelly Cookes, Advantage Travel Partnership; Judith Owens, Titanic Belfast and Jennifer Callister Royal Caribbean International. Since travel reopened in March 2021 Sarah has been out and about. She has discovered a love of cruising after sailing the Mediterranean on Harmony of the Seas and joining the inaugural sailing of Celebrity Beyond in Southampton. A highlight of her foray into cruising was a pizza making experience in Sorrento. A bit of a thrill- seeker, she braved The Vulcano at Siam Park on a trip to Tenerife. She has also been exploring some of our local hotels with a showcase at the Grand Central Hotel which included drinks in their fabulous rooftop bar. A member of the Cookstown Ladies hockey team, when she’s not winning on the field she’s planning her next city break. NI Travel News Editor Kirsty Johnston has
Sarah Pickering, Erin English and Kirsty Johnston at the BIG Travel Trade Event
returned from maternity leave and is ready to lead the Editorial team forward as the travel industry emerges from a tough two years post-Covid. She has already hit the ground running, interviewing Peter Shanks, Silversea Managing Director UK & Ireland and Manuel Butler Director of the Spanish Tourist Office. Recently Kirsty has been exploring what baby-friendly tourist attractions we have right on our doorstep including Exlporis Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary in Portaferry and the newly opened Ballycopeland Windmill Heritage and Visitor Attraction in Millisle. Plans for the rest of this year include a visit to her all time favourite hotel, Glenapp Castle in Scotland and a few other staycations around the UK and Ireland... with a caravan possibly on the horizon! Kirsty is also keen to explore more of what Northern Ireland has to offer on the foodie scene and will be venturing to find some of the more little known foodie gems across our wee country.
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