News Holiday world

Breakfast in the age of Coron-fear

Ireland’s direct routes to China have all been ended by the advent of Coronavirus. Shanghai, a new route via Helsinki with Juneyao was due to commence in April but was listed as delayed. It is now unlikely to happen.

Cathay Pacific initially suspended bookings on flights to Hong Kong to end June from proposed commencement date end March but is now saying flights may resume at year end. The Hainan routes to Beijing and Shezhen will not be returning in 2020.

The projected El Al route to Tel Aviv is also in danger as Israel implemented a measure placing all international arrivals in quarantine for 14 days, effectively ending international tourism to the region.

In the occupied territories, all visits by tour groups have been cancelled, n all hotels have been ordered to cancel reservations for foreign tourists,

n all touristic and religious sites have been ordered to close, n all educational institutions have been ordered to close, n all conferences have been cancelled,

and the authorities have advised against movement between Palestinian cities, except in emergencies.

Travel agents have seen business fall by 80pc. Agents shared “worst case” anecdotes as the crisis saw intercontinental flights slashed by 30pc and inter-European flights by 10pc in the wake of travel bans and fall off in demand.

One agency in a large shopping centre which remained open on Sunday saw four transactions, two cancellations and two bookings.

An edict from the US Travel department advising its citizens not to take cruises, especially those with pre-existing condition, was expected to have a disproportionate effect n an industry already suffering as a result of high profile quarantines on board the Diamond Princess, Grand Princess and delayed sailing on the Regal Princess. Malta banned a cruise ship visit for fear of public unrest.”

US carriers are cutting frequencies to Europe, impacting on Ireland. Short haul flights are already cut. Aer Lingus start-ups to Alghero and Brindisi and Ryanair to Verona are now in danger.

ITAA CEO Pat Dawson said that travel agents would remember those suppliers who were prepared to go “into the trenches” with the agents at their time of need.

Agencies were considering Saturday closures and five day weeks in a bid to avoid laying off staff.

ITAA president John Spollen said he could not rule out casualties in the travel trade as a result of the sharp drop off in demand for travel, which is not confined to affected areas.

TRAVEL TRADE SHOW is going ahead despite Covid-19 and will take place in a new venue, The Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham, on Thursday, 2nd April 2020. For the first time, Cork will host the ITAA’s Irish Travel Trade Show on Wednesday, 1st April 2020. Both Shows will be open from 5.00pm to 7.30pm at a great value rate of €499 + VAT for the Cork Show and €799 + VAT for the Dublin Show. The package includes a table, chairs, power point, WiFi and free tickets to Exhibitors and Visitors for a Buffet Dinner and Networking Event. The ITAA will arrange transport for Exhibitors between the two venues and offer very competitive room rates in both Hotels. The ITAA AGM and Consortia meetings will take place before Dublin Show.

ITAA Michael Doorley is the new and uncontested President of the Irish Travel Agents Association, as the only nomination for the office. Mr Doorley served as ITAA President previously in 1982-3 and 2004-5.

GOHOP The Gohop leg of Atlas Travel, which was not part of the sale to Liam Lonergan’s Club Travel, is being wound down as a result of spiralling business insurance costs.

TRAVEL COUNSELLORS Lorna O’Brien has been appointed new Business Development Executives joining the head office team in Cork. Lorna has 15 years of experience in the sales and travel industry, including 10 years in Tour America’s Cork branch as a travel consultant and sales team leader, Lorna’s new role will support the company’s growth through the management of new business opportunities.

SPAIN remains Ireland’s most popular tourist destination with 2,177,106 visitors in 2019, up 6pc. Only USA and Russia showed a faster growth rate than Ireland as Britain fell in 2.4pc in anticipation of Brexit. Irish visits to Spain fell by 4.8pc in January to 85,375

CAR have put together a seven minute presentation that we will be sending out to all businesses applying for a licence to aide businesses as they fill them out and are highlighting certain information that needs to accompany the forms.

Glistening water, colourful towns and dramatic mountains. Stir up your senses on a Lakes & Mountains holiday to Lake Garda this summer.

We believe work should fit around your life, not the other way around. As a Travel Counsellor, you’ll choose your working hours to suit your lifestyle, and your customers. Whether that’s being able to take a day off without having to ask a boss, spending more quality time with your loved ones, being able to do the school run or going to the gym whenever you feel like it. A better work/life balance, while earning more than they previously did, are some of the reasons why 96% of Travel Counsellors say they wouldn’t return to their previous job! Most Travel Counsellors would say that their biggest regret is that they didn’t join sooner. Contact Nessa Hurley today to find out more.

Work from anywhere Our technology allows you to work from anywhere – whether it’s your home, your office or whilst travelling

Maximise your earnings €70,000 was the average individual income of the top 20 TCs in Ireland in 2019

Complete flexibility Freedom to fit your working hours around your lifestyle

Five different routes of entry Leisure, Corporate, Travel Academy, Return to Travel and Agency Owners

Anna Mills Support After working in corporate travel management since 2013, Anna felt that running her own business was the natural next step in her career. The company ethos, exceptional support and the flexibility in managing her own time to suit clients and her family is what made her decide to move.

Nicola Browne Flexibility With two young children, Nicola wanted more control of her working hours, and to grow a business slowly for the future of her family. She joined the TC Academy Programme from a leading bank and is enjoying arranging her clients’ travel arrangements.

Suzie Hennessy Passion Having worked in a travel agency in Fermoy for 10 years, Susie moved to a role with a national healthcare company. After two years she found herself really missing travel and knew she had to reignite her passion.

Chris Roach Freedom Chris worked in a large agency in Dublin for many years, but the commute was starting to take its toll. Realising that there would never be a perfect time to take the plunge, he made the leap of faith to Travel Counsellors.

Eleanor Roche Passion Following her passion for all things travel, particularly cruise, Eleanor left the world of Chartered Accounting at one of the big named firms to set up her own business through the Travel Counsellors Academy Programme.

Katharine Prior Flexibility Katharine, who is originally from Northern Ireland, now lives in Dublin and has 12 years travel experience. She’s travelled all over the world and loves the flexibility of being her own boss and working North or South as the mood takes her!

Aisling Duignan Inspirational Aisling has been in many businesses over the years while she reared her family; all were in hospitality. She believes that she is where she is supposed to be at this stage in her life, surrounded by the right people and sees a bright future for herself arranging travel for her vast group of friends.

Katrina McMullan Limitless Having worked for 20 years in an agency in Co. Meath, ultimately becoming manager of the business, Katrina decided to make the huge decision to go out on her own. She sees her future as being limitless and is enjoying the challenge and rewards.

Lisa Smith-O’Brien Flexibility Lisa, who is based in Cork, started her travel career almost 20 years ago. As a mother of 3 young children, she says that her only regret is not joining Travel Counsellors sooner.

Deborah Van Coller Achievement Deborah and her family moved to Ireland from Cape Town, South Africa in 2018. Having worked in travel for many years, she saw lots of opportunities when setting up her own business. Guess what she specialises in...

Róisín Curran Independence Dublin based Róisín made her return to travel in late 2018. She knew she wanted to be independent and work from home as she continued to cruise around the world (her other passion!) She has found that the Travel Counsellors model suits her lifestyle just perfectly.