How to package the Emerald Isle
THE misty and mysterious Emerald
Isle boasts a culturally rich and
diverse offering. The destination’s
vast natural beauty and growing list of
attractions provide agents with much
to entice potential travellers.
Tourism Ireland pr manager,
Katharyn Williams-Jaftha, says South
Africans tend to favour visiting the
Republic of Ireland, particularly Dublin.
“There is easy access to Dublin, with
many flights entering the Irish city
daily. No visas are required for the
Republic of Ireland, making it a more
attractive place to visit.”
Thompsons public relations officer,
John Ridler, agrees that agents can
sell Dublin easily as, being visa free,
there is an immediate money- and
time-saving element. “Secondly,
agents can assure clients of the
friendly and easy-going nature of the
locals and the ease of getting around,
whether on an organised tour or a selfdrive
holiday.”
Because of its small size – the
Republic and Northern Ireland together
comprise four provinces and 32
counties – Katharyn says it is common
for South Africans to rent a car as
a means of exploring Ireland. She
recommends that travellers spend
12-14 days, which is enough time to
visit many of the popular tourist spots
while still enjoying some downtime.
John adds that it is easy to cover
distances in Ireland and there are
many charming villages to visit. “The
picturesque drive along the Ring
of Kerry is on most South African
travellers’ itineraries.”
Besides renting a car for a self-drive
experience, travellers can also enjoy
getting around by bicycle – a popular
way to view the country’s natural
beauty. Northern Ireland is known for
its quiet country roads, forest trails
and coastal paths. In the Republic,
Dublin has a self-service bike
rental system with 44 bike stations
throughout the city.T
HE misty and mysterious Emerald
Isle boasts a culturally rich and
diverse offering. The destination’s
vast natural beauty and growing list of
attractions provide agents with much
to entice potential travellers.
Tourism Ireland pr manager,
Katharyn Williams-Jaftha, says South
Africans tend to favour visiting the
Republic of Ireland, particularly Dublin.
“There is easy access to Dublin, with
many flights entering the Irish city
daily. No visas are required for the
Republic of Ireland, making it a more
attractive place to visit.”
Thompsons public relations officer,
John Ridler, agrees that agents can
sell Dublin easily as, being visa free,
there is an immediate money- and
time-saving element. “Secondly,
agents can assure clients of the
friendly and easy-going nature of the
locals and the ease of getting around,
whether on an organised tour or a selfdrive
holiday.”
Because of its small size – the
Republic and Northern Ireland together
comprise four provinces and 32
counties – Katharyn says it is common
for South Africans to rent a car as
a means of exploring Ireland. She
recommends that travellers spend
12-14 days, which is enough time to
visit many of the popular tourist spots
while still enjoying some downtime.
John adds that it is easy to cover
distances in Ireland and there are
many charming villages to visit. “The
picturesque drive along the Ring
of Kerry is on most South African
travellers’ itineraries.”
Besides renting a car for a self-drive
experience, travellers can also enjoy
getting around by bicycle – a popular
way to view the country’s natural
beauty. Northern Ireland is known for
its quiet country roads, forest trails
and coastal paths. In the Republic,
Dublin has a self-service bike
rental system with 44 bike stations
throughout the city.
Up and coming
Belfast, capital of Northern
Ireland, is an up-and-coming city
with a unique and interesting
offering that is surrounded by
a myriad of other attractions,
recommends Tourism Ireland.
A popular attraction is the
Titanic Museum, which has the
original life-sized ship that tried to
save the Titanic. “For museums
and movie-related scenery, Belfast
is a must-see for tourists,”
Katharyn says. A walking tour
of the Titanic Studios, which
comprise artefacts from other
movies and series as well as
Titanic, will show tourists some of
the most memorable scenes from
the historical drama.
Meanwhile, a new area called
Queen’s Quarter is a bustling
hub for pubs, restaurants and
shops and is one of the most
cosmopolitan areas in Belfast.
For art lovers, the Golden
Thread Gallery as well as
the Metropolitan Arts Centre
showcases local and international
talent. For a night on the town,
Thompsons offers a dance
itinerary called ‘Misfit’, which sees
international and local DJs mix
house, techno and bass music.
When in Ireland
What are some of the must-see
tourist spots for South Africans
visiting Ireland? Trafalgar has put
together this list of top attractions.
The Titanic Belfast Centre,
Northern Ireland
Giant’s Causeway, Northern
Ireland
The Guinness Storehouse visit in
Dublin
Waterford Crystal showroom in
Waterford
Kissing the Blarney Stone
The scenic Ring of Kerry
Belleek Pottery, Northern Ireland
Trinity College and the Book of
Kells, Dublin
Ashford Castle, County Mayo
(newly renovated and restored to
its former glory).
“Guests who would like to
explore the Republic and Northern
Ireland at a leisurely pace can
opt for the Trafalgar At Leisure
travel style, which is represented
on our Amazing Ireland trip,” says
Trafalgar md, Theresa Szejwallo.
This 14-day guided holiday offers
later starts, longer stays and more
free time.
Trafalgar also recommends its
Hidden Journeys style of travel for
agents with clients who wish to
travel in small groups. “We have
an eight-day Secrets of Ireland trip
that circles the whole of Ireland,
and includes fairy-tale castle
stays, beautiful landscapes and
cityscapes. This package offers
a myriad of wonderful Insider
Experiences, such as authentic
accommodation, local specialists
and cultural insights,” says
Theresa.
Book it!
Thompsons is offering first-time visitors
its Best of Ireland self-drive tour. The
package includes flights, taxes, three-star
accommodation for seven nights, full Irish
breakfast and car hire. The package is
R13 165 per person sharing, and the
highlights include Dublin, the Guinness
Store House, Kylemore Abbey, The Burren,
the Cliffs of Moher, the scenic Ring of Kerry,
Kilkenny, a visit to the Blarney Stone and
more. The offer is valid from October 1-30
Know your customer!
IRELAND is most popular
amongst South Africans in
the 40-plus market, who
typically enjoy a B&B type
of accommodation, says
Tourism Ireland. Katharyn
Williams-Jaftha says many
South African visitors are
retired or are visiting family
in Ireland. “They therefore
prefer accommodation that
is affordable and has a
homely feel, making B&Bs
the common choice,” she
says, noting that some
travellers, however, book
castle stays as part of the
uniquely Irish experience,
but this becomes pricey.
However, the country is
also expanding the number
of attractions it has for the
younger generation, says
Katharyn. It has become a
hub for interesting worldclass
cuisine as well as
music festivals.
What’s more, Ireland is
known for its superior quality
meat including beef and
pork, which is a pull-factor
for the meat-conscious
South African. Food tours
can be found throughout the
country, which is one way for
agents to up-sell trips.
Another attraction that
would be of interest to
South Africans is the
popular pub-hopping
culture, which sees locals
and tourists alike explore
a variety of pubs to
taste unique Irish beers
and whiskeys. Tourism
Ireland recommends the
Dublin Literary Pub Crawl.
The ‘show’ includes
performances by actors who
join travellers from pub to
pub and re-enact the works
of Dublin’s most famous
writers (James Joyce,
Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde
and many more).
“Further to bar hopping,
which is a must-do in
Ireland, entertainment
such as Irish dancing and
Irish festivals are a major
attraction at many local
hangouts,” says Katharyn.
One of the most popular
festivals is St Patrick’s
Day on March 17. “During
this period, the entire
country comes to life,” says
Katharyn.
A major attraction for many
South Africans is the variety
of golf courses that Ireland
offers. Katharyn says the
country boasts over 300
golf courses with some of
the most spectacular views.
Agents booking for golf
fanatics as well as couples
travelling to Ireland, should
also note that a growing
number of golf spa facilities
are available.
Visas – what agents need to know
While South African passport
holders do not require a visa
to enter the Republic of
Ireland, they do require a UK
visa for entering Northern
Ireland. “Obtaining a visa can
take anywhere from five days
during a quiet season and
20 days in peak season,”
says Katharyn. Visas cost
around R1 500 and are valid
for six months.
Book it!
Trafalgar’s Irish Wonder allows travellers to visit cities such as Dublin, Limerick, Galway and more,
viewing majestic castles and exquisite cathedrals. Travellers can see Trinity College, kiss the Blarney
Stone and gaze at the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and spectacular Dingle Peninsula. This package is
priced from R11 950 per person twin share on the Preview special. It lasts for eight days and includes
accommodation with breakfast daily, three dinners, all transport, services of a professional travel
director, free WiFi and more. The Preview special also offers travellers the chance to book their 2016
holiday at 2015 prices, less 10%. Book and pay a R5 000 deposit with the balance due by January
29, 2016.
Isle of myth and motion picture
IRELAND offers a growing
number of fantasy
attractions, particularly
relating to movies and
series, such as the popular
Game of Thrones.
“Ireland has a rich offering
when it comes to movie
tourism,” says Katharyn
Williams-Jaftha, who
highlights that, besides
Game of Thrones, movies
such as Titanic, P.S. I love
You, Leap Year and the new
Star Wars were all shot in
various parts of the country.
The main headquarters
for the production of Game
of Thrones is the Paint
Hall studios in Belfast.
The majority of on-location
shooting also occurs
in Northern Ireland, at
locations such as Castle
Black, which was built as
a set in an abandoned
quarry a few minutes’ drive
north of Belfast. Tourism
Ireland suggests a four-day
trip, including a visit to the
Tollymore Forest Park, which
is home to hidden caves
and gothic-style bridges, as
well as Belfast and a visit
to the Inch Abbey, which is
the location of some of the
show’s most compelling
moments. Travellers are
even able to visit Castle
Ward (home of the character
Stark), and aim live arrows
on the castle grounds.
Agents should inform
travellers that they can meet
the real-life wolf-like dogs
Odin and Thor at Castle
Ward. These pets, which
belong to Stark in the series,
are Northern Inuit dogs, and
are happy to interact with
Game of Thrones fans.
They can also arrange a
guided car tour on behalf
of their clients that covers
around 240km of private
land, taking travellers
through dark hedges and
mystical forests that lead to
Dunluce Castle. The castle
was once owned by Winston
Churchill, and was the set for
the Kingdom of Westeros.
