'Quiet' Ireland sees growth
TOURIST numbers for
Ireland are up in spite of
some travellers’ negative
perceptions surrounding
travel to Europe.
Enquiries for Ireland have
shown double-digit growth
over the past year, says John
Ridler, pr and media manager
at Thompsons Holidays,
adding that this could be
attributed to the terror
attacks across Europe over
the past six months, which
Ireland has managed to steer
clear of.
Ireland continues to enjoy
traffic growth in the midst of
uncertainty across Europe,
agrees Jane Davidson,
director of Development
Promotions, the GSA for
Tourism Ireland in South
Africa. She says South
African tourist arrivals to
Ireland have increased by
over 10% year-on-year.
Jane agrees that Ireland’s
popularity has grown since
the attacks increased.
“We do not believe the
recent attacks have impacted
negatively on travel to Ireland
at all – in fact, outbound
travel from South Africa to
the destination is growing
and this is indicated in the
increased numbers we are
seeing to Ireland,” says Jane.
Travel agents should be
pushing quieter destinations
in Europe in the midst of
travellers’ fears of terrorism,
and Ireland is the perfect
option, says Sure Travel 24/7
consultant director, Taryn
Classens.
“Enquiries and bookings
for Europe are down at
the moment following the
terror attacks as well as
the uncertainty surrounding
Brexit, but I do think agents
could benefit from pushing
quieter destinations like
Ireland which are close
enough to the action but
away from the hotspots
where incidents have already
taken place,” she says.
The relaxed environment of
Ireland, the pubs, the fun, the
humour of the Irish all keep
South Africans intrigued,
and family links to Ireland
for many South Africans
also have a strong influence
on keeping the market
interested in the destination, says Jane.
Book it!
Trafalgar recently launched its Preview offer, which includes significant discounts on travel to Ireland. Travellers
get a significant 10% off 2016 prices for travel in 2017 on the operator’s best-selling Europe and Britain
holidays. What’s more, travellers who pay a deposit of R3 000 within seven days of booking and the balance by
January 27, 2017, get an extra 10% off. The Travel Corporation also extends its past guest discount to any guest
who has travelled on the sister brands, which means an extra 5% discount is on the cards as well. The special
will run until September 27. As part of this special, guests can enjoy Insight Vacation’s ‘Best of Scotland and
Ireland’ tour, which is now on sale for R41 535 per person twin share for the 14-day tour.
Top attractions to seal the deal
