35,000 HOLIDAYSMAKERS PLAN THEIR 2017 BREAK AT THE HOLIDAY WORLD SHOW DUBLIN
Huge increase in holiday bookings at this year’s show in the RDS Dublin
The Holiday World Show Dublin, which took place this weekend, saw almost 35,000 people make their way to the RDS Simmonscourt for personalised expert travel advice, show-only deals and tips for the bargains of 2017. The increase on numbers from last year indicates the popularity of this award-winning show still holds strong and the continued appetite for budget-conscious holiday options.
Edmund Hourican, Managing Director, Business Exhibitions Ltd., organiser of Holiday World Show Dublin said “Our 2017 show has been more successful than ever before with visitor numbers up 11% on last year. Exhibitors have seen increases in business as people feel more confident when it comes to booking holidays for the year ahead. The increased attendance figure reflects the new buoyancy the travel trade and the range of new offerings and routes available to Irish consumers.”
Exhibitors noted a surge in holiday bookings, which was echoed in the Irish Travel Agents Association’s recent quarterly survey results that revealed that 95% of Irish travel agents saw an increase in their turnover in 2016 compared with 2015. In an exhibitors’ poll taken this afternoon at the Holiday World Show, 90% of the exhibitors revealed that they plan to exhibit again next year.
The Visit USA Pavilion proved very popular among visitors, with the 49 participating exhibitors showcasing a range of American breaks. The Asian stands also attracted a huge number of interested holidaymakers, with the Japan National Tourist Organisation exhibiting for the first time, and Qatar Airways promoting their new Dublin to Doha service at the show.
The ever popular España stand showcased 18 regions of Spain, the Greek National Tourism Organisation and the Italian State Tourist Board celebrated a successful return to the show for the first time in many years, and the Eastern European countries of Poland and Romania attracted a huge number of interested visitors. For the exhibitors in Home Holiday Pavilion, the Holiday World Show acted as an essential platform in promoting the variety of home holiday products on offer.
The Eoghan Corry Travel Summit in association with Dublin Airport also proved extremely popular with visitors as travel journalist Eoghan Corry interviewed industry leaders on topics such as The Americas, Cruises, Ski and Snow Holidays, Solo Holidays and Exotic Destinations, as well as Home Holidays. Over the weekend, Eoghan Corry also swapped travel stories with TV Presenter Kathryn Thomas and hosted a Q&A with Vincent Harrison, Dublin Airport’s Managing Director.
Other Holiday World Show 2017 highlights included Taiko Drum performances by the Experience Japan Taiko Team, courtesy of the Embassy of Japan, and the Kids Zone with Aer Lingus sponsored Art and Colouring Competition.
