September/October 2025
www.nitravelnews.com
CONTENTS | 3
Page 34-35: Sarah Pickering steps on board Oceania Cruises’ Allura
Page 22: NI Travel News’ Danielle Anderson takes an M&D’s Day Trip with Skelton Travel
Page 23: Tom Adair continued his Australian adventure with the iconic BridgeClimb Sydney
Page 60-61: Brian McCalden thought he’d seen all that Menorca had to offer...
ABOUT US Publisher
Jonathan Adair
Jonathan@nitravelnews.com Editorial
Kirsty Johnston
Kirsty@nitravelnews.com Sarah Pickering
Sarah@nitravelnews.com Erin English
Erin@nitravelnews.com
Business Development Abbie Stothers
Abbie@nitravelnews.com Advertising
Christine McCleery
Christine@nitravelnews.com Danielle Anderson
Danielle@nitravelnews.com Events
Emma McAllister
Emma@nitravelnews.com Nicole Wilson
Nicole@nitravelnews.com
Travel News Limited 2B Pavilions Office Park Holywood Co Down BT18 9JQ
Tel: 028 9066 6151
www.nitravelnews.com
If you would like to receive a copy of Northern Ireland Travel News posted direct to you, please contact
Christine@nitravelnews.com FOLLOW US
@nitravelnewsonline @nitravelnews @nitravelnews
Savannah Bracewell, Media & Marketing Coordinator and Travel Sales Assistant at Travelmax in Ballymena, explains: “While we’re certainly aware of new rules and taxes being introduced at several European ports, we’ve not seen this dampen enthusiasm for cruising at all. Demand remains strong across both ocean and river itineraries, with many sailings still booking well in advance.” “In short, cruising is still going full steam ahead!” Only five years ago, a cruise holiday would still have been thought of primarily as a holiday choice for those in the 50+ age range. Now, however, cruisers are younger than ever. Young families looking for an all-in-one package, couples seeking added
luxury and singles looking for a solo trip option that offers the security of being on board a ship rather than in an unknown place by themselves are turning to cruising. Cruises cater to a wide demographic, with the variety of on board activities and shore excursions available, cruise holidays also provide a perfect setting for multi- generational travel, and tourist fees won’t be putting a stop to that anytime soon. Paul Gallagher,
Director at Downe
Travel, says: “While we do not welcome the introduction of taxes for customers to
go ashore, local government taxes
have been in place for quite some time on various land-based holidays, and this has not drastically impacted sales. We don’t
Northern Ireland Travel News Joins Chamber of Commerce with Exclusive Bookit Offer for Members
NORTHERN Ireland Travel News has officially joined the NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The customer-focused, quality-assured business support organisation enables members to grow both locally and internationally and drive the development of the economy.
NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry has over 1,000 members operating across Northern Ireland in a multitude of sectors. NI Travel News, along with its umbrella platforms including Bookit by NITN, has access to networking, learning and accredited training within relevant fields. Speaking on the membership, Jonathan Adair Managing Director of NI Travel News
NI Travel News Welcomes New Appointments
Marketing and Events Departments
NI Travel News has announced a number of new appointments as the business strengthens its commercial and events departments. Nicole Wilson
said: “With our distribution growth and additional new products within NI Travel News, we believed this was the time to join The Chamber to increase our networking and partnership opportunities, with some of Northern Ireland’s most respected and progressive companies. Suzanne Wylie,
Chief Executive, NI
Chamber said: “We are thrilled to welcome NI Travel News to our fast-growing business network. Membership will open the team up to a packed calendar of networking and learning opportunities, with ample opportunity to raise their profile and connect with like-minded businesspeople across Northern Ireland.” To
celebrate the latest
Bookit by NITN is offering an exclusive discount
for Chamber of Commerce
members, who can avail of holiday offers provided by local travel agents, exclusive discounts and free competitions. More information can be found at www.
northernirelandchamber.com
For more information regarding Bookit by NITN exclusive membership, please contact
abbie@nitravelnews.com or
bookit@nitravelnews.com Visit
Bookitbynitn.com for the latest holiday deals.
MAKING WAVES
expect these changes to affect the cruising market. Cruising remains as strong as ever and is one of the most resilient markets in travel. It will always have a loyal customer base.” Tourist fees may not be an overly welcome addition to any holiday, however it’s clear that cruising is far from losing its appeal. With new regulations and taxes shaping the future of European ports, travellers are adapting, seeking out unique itineraries and lesser-known destinations and,
the industry seems ready to navigate the changing tides.
for now,
partnership, for Commercial
been promoted to Senior Events Executive. Emma will continue to liaise in regards to events, including the big Travel Trade Event, On tour Roadshows and The Annual NI Travel and Tourism Awards. Nicole
and can be contacted directly for events enquiries
starts at
will join the Events
department as Events Assistant. She will work alongside Emma McAllister, who has
her post immediately
nicole@nitravelnews.com.
Emma explained how the team are ready for ‘ new and exciting times’ highlighting: “The events team is very excited to have Nicole start her events career here, and I can’t wait to work with her and build the events team
NI Travel Trade Raises £5,000 for Local Domestic Abuse Charity
THE Northern Ireland Travel Trade have come together in support of local women’s domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland raising an amazing £5,000 at an afternoon tea, themed around empowerment.
Picture Special on Pages 18-20
into something amazing.” Nicole added: “I am thrilled for the opportunity to begin this new chapter in my career! Looking forward to learning more about the events industry and getting
to meet everyone
involved,
growing as a person and an events assistant, while contributing in this new role with an amazing team to help guide me.”
Abbie Stothers moves out of the events department and into the position of Business Development Executive for NI Travel News.
Having previously worked in the Events
team, Abbie is now aiming to build on the current client relationships and to create new connections and partnerships for NI Travel News in the future. “Working in the Events Department at NI Travel News has been such an honour, it truly ignited my passion for creating relationships,
understanding
our consumers and developing different areas were we can assist suppliers to showcase their products and services.” Abbie also starts her new role immediately and can be contacted directly at
abbie@nitravelnews.com.
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