Grenham Travel and Shandon Travel Crowned Travel Agents of the Year at the Irish Travel Industry Awards

Grenham Travel and Shandon Travel were crowned ITAA Travel Agencies of the Year 2017 at the annual Irish Travel Industry Awards in Dublin last night (Thursday 26th January). The prestigious awards gala took place in the elegant surrounds of the Mansion House and was attended by travel and tourism professionals from around the World to celebrate the hard working and skilful travel professionals operating within Ireland.

Grenham Travel won the title of ITAA Travel Agency of Year 2017 with under ten employees at the annual Irish Travel Industry Awards in Dublin last night (Thursday 26th January). The prestigious awards gala took place in the elegant surrounds of the Mansion House and was attended by travel and tourism professionals from around the World to celebrate the hard working and skilful travel professionals operating within Ireland. Pictured is Marie Grenham of Grenham Travel with Volker Lorenz of Amadeus, Sponsors of the Award. Photography by Priory Studios.

Grenham Travel, who are based in Athlone, won the title of ITAA Travel Agency of Year 2017 with under ten employees, whilst Shandon Travel, from Cork, was crowned the ITAA Travel Agency of Year 2017 with over ten employees. Both of the winning agencies were praised for their stand-out customer service, their first-rate expertise and the wide range of travel options available to customers.

 

Other big winners on the night included Carlson Wagonlit Travel who won Best ITAA Corporate Travel Agency and Tour America who won Most Innovative ITAA Member Marketing Campaign. The award for Best ITAA Corporate Travel Professional went Niamh Gleeson in FCM Travel Solutions and the award for Best ITAA Leisure Travel Professional went to Sandra Mooney in Cassidy Travel. Liam Keller, founder of Keller Travel in Ballinasloe, was this year’s recipient of the ‘Special Contribution to the Irish Travel Industry Award’.

Shandon Travel won the title of ITAA Travel Agency of Year 2017 with over ten employees at the annual Irish Travel Industry Awards in Dublin last night (Thursday 26th January). The prestigious awards gala took place in the elegant surrounds of the Mansion House and was attended by travel and tourism professionals from around the World to celebrate the hard working and skilful travel professionals operating within Ireland. Pictured is Volker Lorenz of Amadeus (Sponsors of the Award) with Michael Doorley of Shandon Travel . Photography by Priory Studios.

 

Speaking at the awards, Cormac Meehan, President of the ITAA, said “This is a night of celebration for all the nominees and we are delighted to have a record number of ITAA member nominees this year in 6 categories. I would like to congratulate the very many individuals businesses who have put their names forward. To be nominated is in itself is a wonderful achievement as the standards within the Irish travel trade are truly exceptional.”

 

Speaking at the awards, Pat Dawson, CEO of the ITAA said, “2016 was a very positive year for the Irish travel trade and this is down to the talented and hardworking individuals in our industry who endeavour to offer quality travel products to Irish holidaymakers. Tonight we celebrate the successes of the year and congratulate the exceptional professionals working in our industry. I wish to extend my congratulations to all of the winners, especially Grenham Travel and Shandon Travel who both deservedly won overall titles.”

 

The annual event is designed to showcase excellence within the industry and the difficult job of judging the Award Winners fell to a panel of judges, chaired by Tom Lonergan.  Supplier Award Winners were voted upon by Irish travel agents. This year’s Master of Ceremonies was none other than the charming presenter and broadcaster, Miriam O’Callaghan

 

The Irish Travel Industry Awards are an initiative of the Irish Travel Agents Association in association with Amadeus.  Award categories are sponsored by Aer Lingus, Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Hertz, Independent News & Media, Portaventura World, Riviera Travel, Shannon Airport, The Travel Corporation and Turkish Airlines.

 

Full List of Winners at the Irish Travel Industry Awards:

 

Contribution To The Travel Industry Award – Sponsored By Cork Airport

Liam Keller

 

ITAA Member People Awards Winners – Sponsored By Portaventura World

Best ITAA Leisure Travel Professional

Sandra Mooney – Cassidy Travel

Best ITAA Corporate Travel Professional

Niamh Gleeson – Fcm Travel Solutions

Most Innovative ITAA Member Marketing Campaign

Tour America

 

ITAA Member Agency Awards Winners – Sponsored By Amadeus

Best ITAA Corporate Travel Agency

Carlson Wagonlit Travel

ITAA Travel Agency Of The Year (Under 10 Employees)

Grenham Travel

ITAA Travel Agency Of The Year (Over 10 Employees)

Shandon Travel

 

 

SUPPLIER AWARDS WINNERS

 

Air Travel Category – Sponsored By Dublin Airport

Best Airline to Europe

Aer Lingus

Best Airline to North America

Aer Lingus

Best Business Class Airline to Europe

Turkish Airlines

Best Long Haul Airline

Emirates

 

Tour Operator Category – Sponsored By Hertz

Best European Sun Tour Operator

Sunway

Best Escorted Tour Operator

Insight Vacations

Best Specialist Tour Operator

Sunway

Best Ski Tour Operator

Crystal Ski

Best Long Haul Tour Operator

Sunway

 

Cruise Category – Sponsored By Turkish Airlines

Best General Cruise Company

Royal Caribbean International

Best Ultra Luxury Cruise Company

Silversea Cruises

Best Specialist Cruise Company

Uniworld River Cruises

Best Ferry Company

Irish Ferries

 

Agency Services Provider Category – Sponsored By Riviera Travel

Best Technology Provider

Amadeus

Best Car Hire Company

Hertz

Best Travel Insurance Provider

Blue Insurance

Best Tourist Board

Spanish Tourist Board

Best Supplier Support Team

Bookabed

Best Accommodation Only Provider

Bookabed

Best Supplier Representative

Thomas Mcnally – Bedsonline

 

Destinations Category – Sponsored By Aer Lingus

Best Worldwide City Destination

New York

Best European City Destination

Barcelona

Best Ski Destination

Austria

Best Summer Sun Destination

Portugal

Best Winter Sun Destination

Lanzarote

Best Worldwide Theme Park

Universal Orlando Resort

Best Worldwide Hotel Chain

Hilton