60 | TRADE NEWS
Well-Known Etihad Airways Account Manager to Leave Role
www.nitravelnews.com VIVA
Cruises Joins CLIA
September/October 2023
VIVA Cruises has been confirmed as a River Cruise Operator of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Europe.
The
partnership will enhance VIVA Cruises’ brand awareness across the industry, bringing
them into CLIA’s wider community of cruise lines, travel agents and executive partners.
HotelPlanner Adds Lucid Travel to its Family of Brands
ETIHAD’S Account Manager and Sales Representative Alexander Keech has left the company at the end of August. Alexander is a well-known face to the entire trade community in Northern Ireland and a regular at our events over previous years.
Speaking on his departure, Alexander said,
“It is with mixed emotions that I share the news that my journey with Etihad as your Account Manager is coming to a close. Over the past two years, working closely with each of you across NI has been an incredible experience. Your support, collaboration, and dedication to making every travel experience memorable has left a lasting impact on me.
I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful relationships we’ve built and the trust you’ve placed in me. Thanks to Jeremy Pollock and Jason Kearns for all the support over the past 2 years, it has been a pleasure
working with them both. As I bid farewell to Etihad, I am thrilled to share that I’m embarking on a new adventure. I am excited to announce that I will be joining the Aviation Business Development Team at DAA (Dublin Airport Authority). This new challenge presents an exciting opportunity for me to continue contributing to the aviation industry and to expand my horizons. While
I look forward to this
new chapter, please know that the connections and memories we’ve created together will always hold a special place in my heart. Please feel free to stay in touch and I would be more than happy to assist you in any way I can. Thank you once again.” Jason Kearns will be overseeing Alexander’s role here in Northern Ireland in the interim.
NI Travel News want to wish Alexander
the very best on his next adventure and we look forward to working with Jason in the future.
Preparing your Business for the Introduction of ETIAS – Need to Know Guide
THE long awaited Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETIAS) is due to come into effect from next year and businesses are being asked to prepare for the introduction. “Companies arranging business trips
to Europe will encounter a new fee, next year, as part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This €7 fee is expected to be implemented next year and will apply to foreign visitors aged 18 to 70 years old. To enter the Schengen Zone, travellers from visa-exempt countries will need to obtain ETIAS authorisation through an official website or app before their journey.”
Director, Good Travel Management “ETIAS
Said Laura Busby, represents
Commercial an electronic
travel authorisation system specifically designed to pre-screen travellers from visa-exempt countries before their arrival in the Schengen Zone. Its primary goal is to enhance security by identifying potential risks while facilitating legitimate travel within the region. As a result, professionals engaged in business travel to countries requiring ETIAS will also be affected. “Regardless of the purpose of your journey, whether you are a CEO presenting at a conference, a sales representative meeting clients, or an entrepreneur assessing new business opportunities, having a clear grasp of the requirements and implications of ETIAS is vital.’ She continued, “Fortunately, for most travellers, the application for ETIAS authorisation
will be swiftly approved, with the Commission estimating about 95 percent of applicants will receive approval within minutes. However, in some cases, it may take up to 30 days for approval. “The obtained authorisation will be required for entry into all countries in the Schengen area, and it will remain valid for three years or until the expiration date of the traveller’s travel document. During border checks, border guards will verify the ETIAS authorisation along with other travel documents, like passports.
“Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, it will introduce an additional step in the travel planning process for professionals intending to visit the Schengen Zone.
Business travellers
from visa-exempt countries will need to complete an online application, provide personal information, and undergo security checks to obtain their ETIAS authorisation. “To ensure a smooth and hassle-free business travel experience within the Schengen Zone under the new ETIAS, companies
and travellers should
consider the following steps…” #1 Familiarise yourself with the changes. Stay informed about the specific ETIAS requirements, including the necessary information for the application, the fee structure, and any additional documents that may be requested. #2 Constant checks
Travel requirements may evolve over
time, so it’s vital to stay up to date with any updates or changes to the ETIAS regulations. Regularly consult
official sources and be aware of any modifications that will help you adapt your travel plans accordingly and prevent any unwanted surprises during your journey.
By following these proactive steps, you can optimise your business travel to the Schengen Zone and make the most of your experience while complying with ETIAS regulations. #3 Compliance is key
If your business involves multiple employees traveling to the Schengen Zone, it’s essential to communicate the ETIAS requirements to all relevant staff members. Provide them with clear guidance on how to apply for the authorisation and support them in navigating the process. Ensuring compliance with the new regulations will prevent any last-minute complications during travel. #4 Plan ahead
Remember to account for the additional step of obtaining an ETIAS authorisation. Allocate sufficient time for the application process and consider potential processing delays. If managing travel arrangements becomes overwhelming, outsourcing to a Travel Management Company can be a wise choice.
These companies have a team of skilled travel experts dedicated booking,
managing, to and optimising
your business travel experience, easing the burden, and ensuring smooth travel.
HOTELPLANNER has announced the acquisition of Lucid Travel, a travel management software company that serves universities, sports teams, and event directors. These market segments are core business segment and growth areas for HotelPlanner and areas in which the two companies share deep expertise plus operational synergies. “We’re proud to join the HotelPlanner team
to
supercharge growth across the sports, events, and university markets. With HotelPlanner’s vast network in sports and worldclass technology, we’re perfectly positioned to expand our reach and continue making sports team travel better.” says Ben Knosby & Nick Karagiannis, Co-founders, Lucid Travel.
WTTC Says Women Make Up 54% of Travel Industry
Holiday World Show to Celebrate 32 years
THE annual Holiday World Shows returning in January 2024 are now open to exhibitor bookings. The Holiday Show in Association with Shannon Airport will take place over three consecutive weeks starting, 13-14 January; Holiday World Show Belfast, 19-21 January; and Holiday World Show Dublin, 26-28 January. Opportunities to reach the largest holiday audience in Ireland are available for both international and domestic tourism bodies. In 2023, over 30,000 holidaymakers attended the Holiday World Show Dublin alone. All three shows are highly attended as they offer expert advice, exclusive offers and a wide range of diverse holiday options. Attendees are at the shows to find out what is available to them, presenting exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase their holidays to a very interested audience. From Asia to America, Europe to the
Middle East, the Holiday World show displays all the corners of the world and as many places as possible in between. In January 2023, over 300 international destinations participated including Abu Dhabi, Barbados, Canary Islands, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Dubrovnik, Egypt, Slovakia, India, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Peru, Spain, Thailand and USA. The shows offer attendees the chance
to have a personal interaction with travel professionals when meeting face-to-face, eliminating the stressful and unfriendly practice of online booking.
‘A True Gentleman’ – Local Industry Figure Passes Away
CLIFFORD (Cliff) Holmes passed away on September 7th 2023, peacefully at his home after a short illness. Many will know Cliff from his time at
British Airways, before transitioning to Knock Travel, where he spent over 15 years working in the industry he loved- On the weekend Cliff could be found hillwalking in the mountains. Cliff leaves behind his wife Liz, two Children Tim and Mike, sister Liz and her husband Brian, daughter-in-law Alison and beloved grandchildren, Phoebe and Zach. Speaking on his passing, Knock Travel proprietor Doreen Mckenzie said, “{Cliff was} A true gentleman of the travel industry, gone too soon and will be missed by many and remember by even more”.
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