TOUR OPERATORS:VALUE FOR money was the key factor this year when 300,000 Irish people took summer package holidays.
“People did lots of research to ensure that they got the best value for holidays,” said Philip Airey of Sunway Holidays, the new president of the Irish Tour Operators Federation at the ITOF’s agm last week.
Spain and the Canary Islands remained the most popular destinations with the Irish while staged payments were also important for customers.
All the major tour operators noticed an increase in people making part payments on holidays. More travellers, particularly families, were taking all-inclusive packages.
Though prices remained more or less the same as 2010, added value – like cheaper excursions, free entry to water parks, extra activities, full luggage allowances – did sway bookings.
The so-called Arab Spring had a significant impact on holidays to Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. “Egypt bounced back, surprisingly fast,” said Christine Donnelly, managing director of Falcon Holidays. “However, holidays from Cork to the Red Sea riviera did not go ahead.”
Flights to Egypt from Dublin will resume at Christmas, running through to next October.
A steady exchange rate helped to keep the US market even on last year. New York, Orlando and Las Vegas are the most popular destinations with Irish tourists.
The ski season returns soon until the end of March with only two charter operators from Ireland this year – Topflight and Crystal. Inghams has closed its ski programme from Ireland.
Highlife will continue to operate in the catered chalet market to France using schedule flights via Geneva. Topflight will be using Aer Lingus charters for its ski programme from both Dublin and Cork.