Wendy Wu Tours won the inaugural ‘Best Familiarisation Trip’ award, while Uniworld River Cruises won the inaugural ‘Best Luxury Travel Experience’ award, at the 27th Irish Travel Trade Awards in the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin 4, on Friday 23rd November 2018.
Royal Caribbean International won three awards – ‘Best Ocean Cruise Company’, ‘Best Use of Social Media Marketing’ and ‘Best Agent Support / Training Programme’ – while three companies each won two awards: Aer Lingus for ‘Best Airline to Europe’ and ‘Best Airline to North America’; Emirates for ‘Best Long Haul Airline’ and ‘Best Business Class Airline’; and Uniworld for ‘Best Ocean Cruise Company’ and ‘Best Luxury Travel Experience’. Joanne Madden, Travelport, was again voted ‘Best Agent-Friendly Individual’.
All staff working for a licensed and bonded travel agency anywhere on the island of Ireland were eligible to vote and the voting forms were submitted directly to, and then independently collated and audited by, international accountants and consultants Grant Thornton.
All eligible Voting Forms received were entered into a prize draw, with the winner of two tickets to the Irish Travel Trade Awards being randomly selected by Grant Thornton’s computer.
ALL THE WINNERS
Best Destination in Europe: Spain
Best Destination in North America: New York
Best Destination in Asia/Pacific: Thailand
Best Sun Holiday Destination: Lanzarote
Best Sun Tour Operator: Sunway
Best Ski Tour Operator: Topflight
Best Adventure Tour Operator: G Adventures
Best Long Haul Tour Operator: If Only…
Best Airline to Europe: Aer Lingus
Best Airline to North America: Aer Lingus
Best Long Haul Airline: Emirates
Best Business Class Airline: Emirates
Best Ferry Company: Irish Ferries
Best River Cruise Company: Uniworld
Best Ocean Cruise Company: Royal Caribbean International
Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Company: Silversea Cruises
Best Car Rental Company: Hertz
Best Rail Company: Railshop
Best National Tourist Office: Spanish Tourist Office
Best Accommodation Provider: Bookabed
Best Travel Technology Provider: Amadeus
Best Use of Social Media Marketing: Royal Caribbean International
Best Agency Support / Training Programme: Royal Caribbean International
Best Familiarisation Trip: Wendy Wu Tours
Bet Luxury Travel Experience: Uniworld River Cruise
Best Agent-Friendly Individual: Joanne Madden (Travelport)
