38 THE BIG TRAVEL TRADE EVENT 2022
July/August 2022 Travel News
PRAISE POURS IN FOR THE BIG T
“The creme-de-la-creme of the travel industry of Northern Ireland”
HAT’S how Jet2holidays described attendees at this year’s BIG Travel Trade
Event.The two days saw a jam-packed schedule for agents, bringing the travel industry together to network, re-engage, educate and above all, have a lot of fun!The event saw 50+ travel companies take part and hundreds of local travel agents attend the exhibition, supplier presentations, sponsored lunches and evening
events.Kelly Cookes, Leisure Director at Advantage Travel, says it’s important that suppliers and agents are able to meet face-to-face: “So I think it is great to come and touch base with, not only our members over here but also the Northern Irish suppliers that are representing the trade. It’s quite a different operating environment so I think it’s really important that, as Advantage, we have visibility over here and we come and spend time in the local area and we talk to people about what new products are coming out and what other support and services we could give to our members and you can only really do that by being on the ground here.” The Trade Exhibition took place on both days with over 50 top travel suppliers including hotel chains, cruise lines, tourist boards, airlines, holiday providers and many more there to meet local agents and discuss their products/services.
Spanish Tourist Board’s Agustin Garcia said “We are delighted to be in Belfast and to be a part of The BIG Event. We’ve been working with he Northern Ireland Travel trade for so many years. We missed the event last year, unfortunately, but this year we’re back again and we’re delighted to see all the agents and suppliers, and to importantly, have the opportunity to discuss matters with the travel industry. We’re extremely happy to be here.” The NI Travel & Tourism Awards in association with Blue Insurance was also launched at this year’s Big Event – with Jonathan Adair outlining the voting criteria for 2022 and voting in all categories is LIVE NOW!
This year, the gala dinner was sponsored by Jet2holidays who treated attendees to a STAR-tastic night with their ‘A Night with the Stars’ theme. When asked why Jet2holidays chose to attend this year’s BIG Travel Trade Event, Alan Cross, Head of Trade at Jet2holidays said: “The quality of the industry that you’re got here, it’s as simple as that. You come to a two day event here and you’ve got the creme-de-la- creme of the travel industry of Northern Ireland, and as for showing our support, we come out in force, okay we’ve only got six people [with us] this time, but that is 6 out of 14 so 40% of our trade team is here to support, to network, and to get involved in some fanatic meetings; some formal meetings, some informal meetings and some fantastic side meetings which are some of the things that come out of this as well. It’s a win win situation.”
Jonathan Adair of NI Travel News said: “We were absolutely delighted to once again welcome our industry partners to The BIG Travel Trade Event. The feedback on this year’s event has been extremely positive and I am delighted that the team at NI Travel News did such a fantastic job.”
Left: Aer Lingus’Liza Hammond catches up with agent Norma Hill and British Airways, Tara Magee and Adam Benettat the Big Travel Trade Event 2022
Below: Katerina Bomshtein
networking with agents on all things Gran Canaria
WHAT DOES POST COVID RECOVERY LOOK LIKE FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE?
Salou - ‘From last year to now, we have a lot of business from Ireland and the UK and we expect a lot more families in the summer. We have two or three more flights than 2019. More flights are flying from Belfast and Northern Ireland to Reus Airport. We have families booking earlier in the year. Along with an increase in Irish families booking, so we are very lucky.
Gran Canaria - “Now, people are coming to Gran Canaria, From around Easter-time, we are starting to see more clients, both British and Irish clients,then before 2019. So this is absolutely our time. From Spring, into Summer and right through until Winter, we have a massive demand.” Spring Hotels - “Recovery is very buoyant, lots and lots of people are booking from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and all over England. So much so that in our three hotels*, we have had to put a stop sale on some of the dates. That’s how busy it has actually been. Particularly in peak season. There has been an earlier booking pattern, we can see now that people are booking earlier for October, for next Easter, along with December and January. A lot of bookings are coming in.” Pallidium - ‘We’re growing, more brands, more refurbs. New focus on Jamaica, Ibiza, and Mexico. We are growing, growing, growing. Everybody is upgrading to better room types, going to five star hotels, opting for the Butler service rooms. Very short-term booking, with more last-minute bookings.
Above: Annette McCann from Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. chats with agents
Left:
Loganair brought the noise to this years event with a
Loganair piper to welcome guests
Above: It was a busy two days for our suppilers at the Big Travel Trade Event
Above: Wendy Cameron and Colin Rillie of MSC Cruises show off their merch at this years event
Below: Aaron Fletcher of NCL snuck in time to read the latest NITN newspaper between agents
Above: Lawrence Peachey, Hotel Jardin Tecina and Tecina Golf, with agents Emma McNulty and Janice Thompson of Thompson Travel, at this years event
Above: Scott Harman, H10 Hotels, caught up with the NI Travel News Editorial Team
Left:
Caitriona Toner and Siobhan Bosket
,American Airlines,
enjoyed two full days of networking with agents at the
Hilton hotel Templepatrick
Left:
Blaithin O’Donnell and Bernadette Goldsmith, Air Canada, set up and ready to chat with agents at the big
Event 2022
Above:Amanda Middler and Lynda McCorry of Silversea Cruises in the trade exhibition
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