Leading travel technology company Amadeus has forecast how people will travel over the next 10 years, by identifying four distinct traveller brackets people will fall into. It forms part of its Travel Tribes 2023 research study, versions of which it previously published in 2007 and 2015. Sustainable travel, unsurprisingly, plays a big part of the emerging new trends; but an openness to new technologies also features. Amadeus’ Four Emerging Traveller Tribes are: Excited Experientialists – this group has a ‘try it and see’ approach to life and travel. Some 44 per cent are without children ..read more

Leading Irish hospitality group Press-Up Group is set to expand into Belfast, with planning permission being sought for a 91-bedroom hotel on Bedford Street in the centre of the city. Plans have been submitted to Belfast City Council for a boutique hotel at 34-44 Bedford Street and 4-6 Clarence Street. The proposal outlines plans to develop a luxurious hospitality scheme under renowned hotel brand, The Dean, operated by Press Up Hospitality Group, comprising of 91 bedrooms, Sophie’s Rooftop Restaurant and Terrace, and a 3 x 13m rooftop pool – a first for the group’s portfolio of urban hotel ..read more

Cruise industry veteran Tony Roberts is leaving Seabourn Cruise Line, Carnival’s luxury subsidiary, and exiting the industry entirely after 23 years. Mr Roberts – who has also worked for Princess Cruises and chaired industry group CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) UK and Ireland – is to leave his role as vice-president of global commercial operations, guest service and head of UK and Europe for Seabourn in April, after which he will take up a new role and career path outside of the cruise industry. Lynn Narraway, Seabourn UK and Europe’s current vice president, will continue to lea ..read more

Princess Cruises has announced its summer 2024 Alaska cruises and cruise tours are now on sale.  When visiting Alaska, guests choose Princess Cruises more than any other cruise line to set their sights on untamed wilderness, majestic glaciers, close-up wildlife and Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. Moreover, Princess Cruises takes more guests to Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line.  The 2024 season marks the 55th anniversary for Princess Cruises sailing in Alaska and seven ships are scheduled to depart from four home ports – San Francisco, Seattle ..read more

Dublin Airport enjoyed its busiest January ever with just over 2.1 million passengers travelling through during the opening month of the year, according to the airport’s operator daa. The number of passengers travelling through Dublin Airport in January was 2% higher than in January 2019 – the previous record January – and more than double (113%) the numbers seen in January 2022.  The early part of January saw some very busy days at Dublin Airport as thousands of people travelled home after the Christmas break. Nevertheless, security screening moved smoothly throughout January with 95.7 ..read more

Turkish Airlines has announced details of its 2023 Bowling Tournament – the 9th year the event has been held, and the 7th year of the tournament’s Irish edition. This year’s event will be held only in Dublin and the tournament has grown to involve 66 countries with a total of 130 destinations participating. The league was created to promote co-operation and communication between travel agencies around the world. This year’s event takes place on March 15. Turkish Airlines would like to invite you to enter a team of 3 people from your agency to compete in this year’s event. The best team from ea ..read more

UK leisure holiday company Jet2.com/Jet2holidays has increased frequency from a number of destinations – including Belfast International Airport – to Tenerife and Mallorca for the spring/early summer months of March-May. The company said it has seen strong demand increases for the Easter holidays and early summer. Jet2.com will add more flights to the two sun destinations from Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle. In terms of Ireland, the airline only flies from Belfast to numerous European sun destinations – including Spain, Portugal, the Canary Is ..read more

Numerous media outlets have reported that the installation of onboard vending machines is actively under consideration by Irish Rail across its inter-city rail network. The move would allow passengers buy food and beverages for the first time since Irish Rail suspended its onboard catering services three years ago during the pandemic crisis. According to reports, the introduction of vending machines would not mean that an onboard trolley service is not returning; but would actually be seen as an add-on service offering. Rail passengers in Ireland can only currently buy onboard food and/or drin ..read more

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Jack Chambers TD, received updates on reported drone sightings at Dublin Airport over the St Brigid’s Day weekend.   The Ministers are concerned about the impact on the travelling public of delayed and diverted flights while supporting the relevant state bodies in prioritising safety and security over all other concerns. Jack Chambers TDEamon Ryan TD The Ministers are convening a meeting this evening at which they will be briefed ..read more

Trabolgan Holiday Village has announced that it has been given the green light to proceed with a huge multi-million euro revamp of its amenities, as well as an expansion of its accommodation offering. The popular holiday destination – which sits on 140 acres of woodland near Midleton in Co Cork – will be closed this year, but will reopen in 2024, to allow for the major works to be undertaken. These include the building and fitting out of 40 new holiday mobile homes – for which planning permission has been granted – a revamp of its existing accommodation, with new kitchens and bathrooms; a full ..read more