July/August 2026 ... continued from pg 1 the influx of Scotland
Page 16: Robin Nowacki enjoys the slower pace of Spain...
Page 18: Nigel Heath embarks on a famous trail...
Page 74: Andrea McVeigh shares stories of the charm city...
Page 84: Brian McCalden explores the pleasures of cold water swimming..
fans in the streets of Boston continue (despite their early exit), and it seems worldwide fans have ventured off on a transatlantic journey to revel in the atmosphere of the beloved tournament. Hays Travel Head of Sales,
Tanya Cooper, said, “The halo effect from the
World Cup taking place in Boston, Miami and New York has showcased these destinations. We can see this pattern particularly in Scotland, where we have pent up demand for Boston, as The Tartan Army return and vow to take their families back, given the warm reception they received.” Cooper also highlighted the increase year- on-year to the destination. “USA remains our top selling Long Haul destination, and in recent weeks, following the start of the World Cup and the signing of the peace agreement, we have seen increased demand from our customers. “Cities such as New York, LA, Boston and
Atlanta have seen strong growth on the previous year. We have also seen a positive bounce back on Orlando, with Melbourne in
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plans, we’re excited to help our Irish customers reach new shores and enjoy a summer filled with milestone moments across sports, entertainment, and culture.” However, despite the revelry and celebration of the FIFA World Cup, travel to the United States has been impacted by political instability and the conflict in the Middle-East. As Damian Murphy further reflected, “January and February started quite well but with the on-set of the conflict in the Middle-East, USA bookings dropped again against a back-drop of fear of travelling to the US for fear of reprisals and a bit of the anti-Trump protests.” “However, in the last couple of
through Dublin Airport in June. It witnessed fans travelling from Scotland, England, France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany to utilise both the increased transatlantic connectivity from Dublin Airport to a multitude of North American destinations, and the US security pre-clearance facilities. Damian Murphy, Managing Director of
Terra Travel, highlighted, “The World Cup has created a lot of interest over the last couple of years” Murphy continued, “We had a couple of
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CONGRATULATIONS to our latest competiton winner,
Stewart who has won an overnight stay for two with breakfast at The Bedford Hotel, Belfast
Elizabeth
COMPETITION WINNER
Gilford Castle Estate Welcomes First Chief Executive Following £20 Million Refurbishment
GILFORD Castle Estate has announced the appointment of Tim Husbands MBE as its new Chief Executive. Husbands joins the estate following an intensive refurbishment programme in excess of £20 million, which has reimagined the Victorian Scottish Baronial residence as a bespoke venue for corporate events, weddings, and high-end celebrations. Husbands had famously led Titanic
Belfast from its inception to becoming the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction. His extensive portfolio also includes tenures as CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse and the Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall in Belfast. The multi-million-pound restoration
has protected the building’s architectural heritage. The reception rooms and bedrooms have been restored to reflect their original internal grandeur. Adrienne Moffett, owner of Gilford Castle
Estate, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Tim Husbands to the helm of Gilford Castle Estate. His unparalleled experience in
delivering world-class visitor experiences is exactly what this stunning venue deserves. After a sensitive reimagining, the Castle is ready to set a new standard for luxury in Co. Armagh. Tim’s vision and passion for Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector make him the perfect person to lead us into this new chapter.” Tim Husbands MBE, Chief Executive of Gilford Castle, added: “Returning to Northern Ireland to lead
such an extraordinary project is a privilege. Gilford Castle is a dramatic, unforgettable venue that has been brought back to life with incredible taste and attention to detail. Our goal is to create a bespoke destination that truly impresses, offering a level of quality and service that honours the Castle’s baronial history while meeting the needs of modern, high-end events.”
particular performing well. Always popular are our tailor made two and three centre holidays that we package together for our customers.” And it’s not just travel agents seeing the
surge. According to Gary McClean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport, It is estimated that up to 10,000 football fans passed
groups who went out to watch the football on large screens etc and to soak up the World cup atmosphere.” Increased capacity and the addition of new routes is a driving force for Northern Irish holidaymakers embarking on a transatlantic adventure. T r a v e l l e r s can avail of direct routes from Dublin Airport, or avail of a number c o n n e c t i n g routes from
Belfast. Simon Hawkins, MD of International Sales
at American Airlines, indicated a strong response from the Irish Market across their portfolio, “Thousands of customers travelling for both business and leisure cross the Atlantic on American each day as they explore the U.S. and beyond. With major global events continuing to shape travel
weeks interest has grown steadily and bookings are once again coming in with a lot of interest currently in 2027.” According to Murphy, Nashville, New York,
Florida and Las Vegas are projected to remain the standout US destinations for Northern Irish Holidaymakers, with added interest in Miami as a result of cruise connectivity. Airlines have reported a positive demand
for transatlantic travel throughout the Irish Market as Tara Magee, Commercial Manager Ireland for British Airways highlighted, “Visitation from Ireland remained ahead of prior-year levels through March 2026, with April–May results currently pending confirmation. Feedback from the trade remains encouraging, with demand continuing to materialise through late- booking patterns.” 4th July 2026 marked a momentous milestone for the United States, as the nation celebrated its 250th anniversary, but the celebrations don’t end there. Continuing through 2026, a multitude of states are planning festivities, parades, and commemorative shows to mark the occasion. The legendary Route 66 marks its centennial anniversary on 11th November 2026, starting from Chicago and spanning to the Santa Monica pier in California; a range of events and celebrations are planned in cities and towns that line the iconic USA highway. Looking ahead to the end of 2026, Tara
Magee highlighted, “Market sentiment around both the America250 celebrations and the FIFA World Cup is positive, and these events are expected to provide a supportive backdrop for US visitation in H2.” While political uncertainty rocked the boat
for transatlantic travel at the beginning of the year, the tides seem to have changed in recent weeks as popular sporting events, and anniversary celebrations once again catapult America to the forefront of the global stage.
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