ITAA AGM Debates Its Future

A Future for the ITAA?

Disneyland Paris Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Christine Donnelly Hosts Farewell Party

Tour Operators Offer Value and Security – ITOF

Aer Lingus Regional to London Southend

United Airlines Brings Home Oscar Winners

Aer Lingus Cork Summer Schedule

Travel Counsellors Expands into the UAE

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As members of the Irish Travel Agents Association gather at the Red Cow Hotel for their agm, Irish Travel Trade News reveals the results of a sample survey of travel agents – members and non-members – which show that 78% do not consider the ITAA to be currently relevant to their business.

For eNews and website advertising rates, including special introductory rates for recruitment ads, contact [email protected]. When you have a new product, service, promotion or event of interest to Ireland's travel industry, send details to [email protected]. News stories published on our website in recent days included:

Amanda Wins Two Nights in Downtown Dubai
Etihad Offers Free Stopover Night in Abu Dhabi
Yseult Joannet R.I.P. – a Message from John Kinane
Congratulations Avril – Twice!
Shannon Airport Offers €1,000 Summer Holiday Prize
Uniworld River Queen Voted First Choice in Luxury Cruising
Win a Qantas Ticket to Australia!

In a sample survey by Irish Travel Trade News of Irish travel agents nationwide, 78% of respondents said that the Irish Travel Agents Association was currently not of relevance to their business. However, 78% also said that the ITAA could be more relevant to their business and 44.5% said they would use the ITAA if it became "a commercial negotiator".
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It was really a good news day on 7th March as Disney announced a contract with an Irish animation company that will generate 75 new Irish based jobs. Coupled with this was the launch to the Irish travel trade of the Disneyland Paris 20th anniversary plans at a lunch jointly hosted by Disneyland Paris, Abbey Travel and Breakaway Tours. The winner of an all-inclusive family package to Disneyland Paris was Co Wexford-based Deirdre Murphy from Hilary Murphy Travel. No doubt, she will have a magical time!
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Bidding farewell to her Dublin friends in the Grafton Lounge last Thursday, Falcon Holidays' Christine Donnelly spoke of her highs and lows (mostly highs!) over many years since the start of Falcon with Freddie O'Neill, Gabrielle Malone and Billy Smith back in the 1980s.
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Irish tour operators are emphasising the value of holidays and the added security offered by the bonded package holiday, according to the President of the Irish Tour Operators Federation, Philip Airey, when speaking at a function hosted by the Spanish Tourism Office.
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Aer Arann has announced the opening of a new Dublin – London route. From 10th May 2012, Aer Lingus Regional operated by Aer Arann will fly three daily return services between Dublin and London Southend. Fares start from €24.99 one-way including taxes.
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Oscar-winning director Terry George and his daughter Oorlagh, who produced the Oscar-winning film The Shore in the live action short category, flew home to Belfast International Airport with United Airlines.
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Aer Lingus will operate a total of 84 weekly departures this summer from Cork Airport to the UK and continental Europe, including a new three times weekly service to Brussels and extra frequencies on Faro and Amsterdam.
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Travel Counsellors has announced its expansion into the UAE after officially launching in Dubai this month. The operation will be a joint venture partnership with dnata, the world's fourth largest air services provider and Middle East travel experts.
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