In the April issue of Irish Travel Trade News, being distributed to travel agencies this week, Sarah Slattery reports on the early bookings, new air routes, and where Irish holidaymakers are likely to be visiting in 2016.
“After seven long years it is great to see Irish travel agents recording a bumper start to 2016. Most reported significant increases in early bookings and some ITAA members even recorded up to 50% increases in January sales compared to last year. February was not as buoyant as January but the long St Patrick’s Day plus Easter holiday generated a lot of family bookings and agents are hopeful that business will bounce back up after Easter for what looks like being an extremely busy lates market.
“It looks like we will see the return of multiple holidays, with city breaks, short breaks, Lapland and Christmas holidays already proving popular. The European Championships in France in June will be an interesting barometer. Will people pay the hefty price tag to support the boys in green or will they choose to grab a late deal and cheer them on from an all-inclusive resort in Spain? Both are selling well, according to travel agents.”
See the latest ITTN for Sarah’s full article, together with reports on top destinations in Europe, Middle East + Africa, Americas + Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific, illustrated by photos taken around the world by 22 Irish travel agents.
