70 | TRADE NEWS


Visit USA Committee Ireland Thanksgiving Trade Night


NI Travel News’ Emma attended Visit USA’s Thanksgiving


Trade


Evening in Dublin on Thursday 21st of November. The event took place at the Odeon’s Bourbon Bar. Attendees of the


USA Thanksgiving Trade Evening were treated


Visit to


warm hospitality, including American food, cocktails, and entertainment to as a ‘Thank You’ for selling the USA as a holiday destination.


Abercrombie & Kent and Cox & King Official 2025 Brochure Launch


NI Travel News’ Abbie was kindly invited to join the official brochure launch for Abercrombie & Kent and Cox & Kings on Wednesday 20th November 2024 in the Titanic Hotel, Belfast. Agents were treated to fantastic hospitality and presented the updates on the amazing products both brands have to offer. Victoria Houston, Agency Sales Manager, shared


the expectational benefits of booking a trip with Abercrombie & Kent or Cox & Kings and hosted guests all evening in answering questions & sharing news on upcoming FAM Trips. A massive thank you for inviting NI Travel News to be part of the event! We look forward to working with Abercrombie & Kent and Cox & Kings in 2025! #AgentEvent


Great Lakes USA Appoints New Tourism Director Cathy’s


A new Tourism Director has been appointed by Great Lakes USA (GLUSA).


Cathy Domanico brings more than 30 years of experience in senior leadership roles in sales and marketing within regional, national and global organisa- tions. Her appointment comes at an exciting time for Great Lakes USA. Two new flights go- ing into the region have been an- nounced, starting May 2025. Del- ta is launching a new flight from Dublin into Detroit four flights a week. And Aer Lingus will launch Europe’s first direct flights to In- dianapolis, Indiana.


career


creative management in mar- keting


agencies,


includes an


client/ adjunct


professorship, numerous board appointments, as a marketing leader in global travel and tour- ism, and in museum experiential marketing.


She most recently served as CEO/ Executive Director of the La Grange (Illinois) Business Asso- ciation. Prior to this, she was the Vice President of Global Trade Development for Brand USA, the tourism and marketing agency for the United States of America. She was responsible for the manage- ment of 22 international offices


NEW figures from ABTA has revealed that the UK’s outbound travel industry generated £51.6bn for the UK economy in 2023, a whopping increase of 5% from 2019’s figure of £49bn. ABTA says the economic contribution, as well as the 818K jobs the industry supports across the UK, shows the importance of the outbound travel industry to national and local economies and shows that – with the right policy support – the sector can help the Government achieve its growth agenda.


However, the Association


warns that the industry’s growth is at risk of stalling if the right policy framework isn’t in place, and has expressed reservation about consumer and business confidence levels following the Budget. As well as the additional employment costs


travel


and developed global strategies to help bring leisure travellers to the United States. She also served for 11 years as the Vice President of Tourism and Leisure Sales for Choose Chicago, the official tour- ism and marketing agency for the City of Chicago. “Cathy’s deep experience with international marketing as well as business development, mar- keting and managing tourism programs will help promote our region as a tourism destination,” said David Naftzger, Executive Director of the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Gover- nors & Premiers.


businesses will face because of employer national insurance increases, Air Passenger Duty on flights is also due to increase by 14% on a short haul economy flight from April 2026 and by £12 on an economy flight long haul. ABTA says it is keen to work closely with the Government to ensure the industry’s potential is realised, with a particular focus on the following policy areas: Support for the decarbonisation


of aviation and cruise, delivered through policies that seek to avoid pricing people out of travelling. Business rates reform, which recognises the value of high street businesses and addresses the current financial disadvantages


faced by travel agents with high street premises. Enhanced trading arrangements


with the EU, including a youth mobility deal that will restore the opportunity for UK nationals to work in temporary tourism roles overseas. Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of


ABTA said: “The new Government has placed delivering growth at the top of its agenda, and today’s figures clearly show that travel can play a leading role in stimulating the growth we all want to see. “Communities up and down


the country are benefiting from the revenue and jobs created by outbound travel and we want that to continue. “The last few years have not


been easy for our industry, but travel has proven remarkably resilient to date. Whilst we should celebrate


that fact, with the effects of the pandemic still being felt by travel businesses and the ongoing cost of living challenges facing consumers, we cannot simply take our future success for granted. “There are notable obstacles


to businesses operating in travel, including travel to the EU – home to the UK’s largest holiday destinations – and increased costs of doing business at home. “However, I remain optimistic


about the ability of travel to continue to drive growth. With the right tax and policy framework the industry can support the Government in delivering its growth ambitions, and today I am asking ministers to work with us to that end.”


www.nitravelnews.com


January 2025


Outbound Travel Industry Central to Unlocking Uk Growth, Says ABTA


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