“Saturday flights from Dublin to Tunisia from 21st June to 27th September, seamless packages to quality hotels in eight resorts, the most competitive prices available, €50 deposit, a team dedicated to the Irish market, and a local number 7-day call centre – it‘s a no-brainer to book Just Sunshine,” John Grehan, Business Development Manager, Just Sunshine Holidays Ireland, told travel agents at a lunch in Marcel’s, Dublin, yesterday.
The new ex-Ireland charter programme has been launched this year by Just Sunshine, the UK-based tour operator that commenced in 2002 and which is part of the El Mouradi Hotel Group.
Can Deniz, Managing Director UK & Ireland, said: “We are strongly trade-focussed, with 95% of UK bookings coming through travel agents. We operate to several countries but for our first year operating from Ireland we are offering Tunisia ex-Dublin from end-June to end-September. In the future we may also fly from Cork and also to other destinations.
“We have invested in a strong Irish brochure and I invite agents to visit our website to see how competitive our prices really are. Supporting John here in Ireland we have a team in London dedicated to Ireland – Rosie Thornton, Tina Lucas, Paul Xersi and Tony Blakely – and a big team, including great reps, in Tunisia.”
Sami Tounsi, Trade Executive, Tunisian National Tourist Office UK & Ireland, highlighted what Tunisia has to offer, including the ‘five key pillars’ of beach, golf, culture, Sahara, and spa. “In 2013 Tunisia welcomed 6.3 million visitors, of which 5,674 were Irish visitors – including those resident in the UK – and 2,294 were from the Republic. Our target for 2014 is 7,000 visitors from Ireland.
“No visa is required for Irish/EU passport holders, no vaccinations are required, the flight is 3.5 hours, and drinks can be purchased in and outside of hotels – with a Tunisian Celtia lager costing just €1.50!
“There are fabulous beaches, eight UNESCO World Heritage sites – including El Jem Amphitheatre, the third largest from the Roman Empire, 10 golf courses with €30-€35 green fees, great food, the Sahara with three Star Wars film locations – a two-day trip costs €90, and a variety of accommodation from Dars and boutique hotels to 5-star properties, 35 of which offer Thalassotherapy treatments.”
