November/December 2024
www.nitravelnews.com
Social media has changed the way we search for our next holiday
...continued from Pg. 1 Page 20-21: Tom Adair jets off
to New York and explores Staten Island’s Hotspots
Page 22: Robin Nowacki recounts his journey to Georgia
Page 24-25: Andrea McVeigh continues her Indian Odyssey with a trip to Agra and the Taj Mahal
Page 30-59: Diona Doherty experiences a taste of Dubai’s Foodie Scene
This means they can book early with a small deposit and pay it off throughout the year.
“Moving into 2025 we aim to keep on top of our social media by being active and sharing lots of great deals throughout the year,” Eileen added. Cara Morgan of Terra
Travel echoes Eileen’s feelings on social media being a leading factor in influencing holidaymakers: “A lot of customers are influenced by what they see online and so I could also see a rise in the “off the beaten track” type holidays, one off experiences and bucket list tickers.” Cara so predicts that “short haul packages will continue to remain popular in 2025” and that the cruise sector will see an increase in interest for 2025, saying “we have already noticed a rise in our bookings throughout this year”.
“2024 for us has been a very busy year overall, covering a varied range of all types of holidays and I’m confident that next year we will continue to build on this,” she added. Sharon Thompson of Thompson Travel also thinks that holidaymakers will be keen to experience b bucket list destinations: “2024 has been a fabulous year for us and customers were well and truly focused on new experiences and utilising the flights to new and exciting destinations offered from Belfast and Dublin.
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NI Travel News Now Available in Belfast International Airport’s Causeway Lounge!
THOSE flying from Belfast International Airport can now pick up the latest travel, trade and cruise news from the Causeway Lounge in departures, as the local travel newspaper returns to the airport. The monthly newspaper will be available to all in the lounge and makes for the perfect read ahead of your travels, wherever they may be.
The vibrant newspaper stands can
also be found across the province; in all travel agencies, ferry ports, selected news agencies and Ground Espresso Bars. Pictured welcoming the stands to
the Airport is Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Deborah Harris, and NI Travel news’ General Manager, Christine McCleery.
“With more destinations being added from Belfast International for 2025, there are plenty of new options to choose from. “Bucket list destinations like Borneo and Vietnam are already booking for 2025, whilst cruising, the Med and Caribbean are still top requests – cruises are on sale to 2026!” Sharon warned that “booking early is a necessity” saying, “it’s not so much about late deals anymore, it’s all about availability!” Local tour operator Travel Solutions has
seen an “increase in family bookings for Mediterranean destinations, and continued interest in the USA and the Far East”. Richard Cooper of Carefree Travel also says that bookings have gotten “more diverse”. “Sports trips , pop concerts , oversea adventures - not just bucket and spade holidays. Cruising has never been as popular with so much choice . It’s busy all year round, no putting the feet up on the desk in October until the start of Jan! 2025 is also looking like another busy year with plenty of customers planning trips well in advance to avail of keen early prices and to secure availability.”
For Jonny Fielding at
JF Travel, 2024 has been a “record breaking year”. Jonny said: “Sales hit a new high and of course the opening of our third retail store before the year comes to an end. 2025 is looking promising for the travel industry as a whole with customers wanting to travel more and further than they have before, while using the expertise of a travel agent. “I predict in 2025 there will be more demand for cruise (as cruising becomes more and more popular with families), a bigger long haul market and that the European top selling destination will be Antalya, Turkey as sales continue to rise,” Jonny added. Mirroring the sentiments of Eileen, Cara and Sharon is Janet McGreevey, Travel Bug NI. Speaking about 2024, she says: “I have seen a noticeable surge with travellers seeking unique and experiential trips. Many prioritised
“sleep tourism”
and wellness escapes, while others leaned towards destinations known for its natural beauty or cultural depth. “Looking into 2025 - Norway is to be
Finland
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popular, particularly for the chance to see the northern lights at their peak in the solar cycle, attracting those interested in winter and wildness travel. “Kenya and Tanzania are also likely to appeal to travellers looking for exclusive, conservation-focused safaris that go beyond the traditional experience. “Meanwhile,
is becoming so
popular for a winter getaway, Ruka offers ski lessons on serene slopes, alongside with snowshoeing, husky sledding and even river floating. It’s a top pick for families seeking a magical snow experience with plenty of options for children and teens alike,” she added.
Likewise, Travelmax’s Maxine Bracewell
has “seen an increased demand for unique, immersive experiences as NI holidaymakers seek travel that feels truly memorable”. “Whether it’s venturing into cultural hubs or relaxing in luxury, destinations like Cancun, Barbados, and Malta have become client favourites, as well as multi-centre USA adventures - the desire for tried-and-tested luxury experiences has grown immensely. “Looking ahead to 2025, we predict that travellers will continue to prioritise value and quality, with a focus on wellness, local experiences,
and eco-conscious
options, as well as multiple destination holiday European destinations like Madeira and Greece are poised to be popular, especially for short-haul getaways. “Meanwhile, destinations
long-haul like the Middle
East and the Indian Ocean are appealing to those looking for an exotic escape without compromise. City breaks will continue to sell well for those who enjoy a quick get away and adventure at an affordable price,” Maxine continued. “Cruising has become more popular than ever, and Travelmax
has seen this increasing as seasoned cruisers and new to cruising clients who are curious to try for the time, are looking for seamless, hassle-free travel experiences and excellent value for money,” she added. Chris Hagan of Heathside Travel Experts
said: “For Summer 2025 we are already seeing higher year-on-year demand, with Canary Islands, Majorca and Algarve still our top selling destinations - although we are seeing higher demand for Turkey than previous years with family long haul also very popular. “We expect 2025 to follow a similar pattern to 24, however with greater capacity in the market we do expect more pressure in pricing overall, which hopefully will be positive for the family market,” he added. Clubworld Travel has seen a “notable rise in family holidays driven by new and exciting routes from both Belfast and Dublin”. Claire Mulligan from Clubworld Travel
said: “City breaks, including affordable trips to Euro Disney, have bolstered our market share, appealing to travellers looking for quality experiences closer to home. Long- haul destinations also saw impressive growth, particularly to the USA, alongside strong demand for escorted tours, ocean and river cruises.
“Looking ahead to 2025, with the launch of our new website and a rising preference for using expert travel professionals, we anticipate even greater success. We expect continued growth in long-haul travel, family getaways, and tailored experiences— ensuring
that a leading Clubworld Travel choice for remains Northern Irish
holidaymakers seeking both adventure and value.”
Meanwhile 2024 was “a very busy year” for Reliable Travel. “Egypt and Tunisia were among the top choices of destinations due to good prices and value for money,” said Liz Dinzmore of Reliable Travel. “We predict 2025 to be bigger and better with more new routes being added from Belfast and also the Aer Lingus direct services from Dublin to Las Vegas and Nashville. Cruises are still very popular and we had quite a few first time cruisers.”
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