Winners at the Irish Travel Industry Awards
Club Travel and Navan Travel were crowned ITAA Travel Agencies of the Year 2015 at the annual Irish Travel Industry Awards in Dublin last night (Thursday 22nd 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.
Club Travel, from Dublin, won the title of ITAA Travel Agency of Year 2015 with over ten employees, whilst Navan Travel, from Meath, was crowned the ITAA Travel Agency of Year 2015 with under 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, Atlas Travel Group who won Best ITAA Corporate Travel Agency and Tour America who won Best ITAA Member Marketing Campaign.
The award for Best ITAA Corporate Travel Professional went to Catherine Monaghan from FCm Travel Solutions and the award for Best ITAA Leisure Travel Professional went to Louise Brennan Ormsby from Club Travel.
Antonio Martin-Machuca, Marketing Director for the Andalucia Tourism Board, Spain, was this year’s recipient of the ‘Special Contribution to the Irish Travel Industry Award’.
Speaking about the Awards, Pat Dawson, CEO of the ITAA said, “The Irish Travel Industry Awards are a great way to recognise the innovation and talent that is operating with the Irish travel and tourism sector. I wish to extend my congratulations to all of the winners, especially Club Travel and Navan Travel who both deservedly won overall titles. ”
Speaking of the Awards, Martin Skelly, President of the ITAA said, “Irelands trading environment has improved but more importantly we the Irish Travel Trade have improved. We have adapted and “Transformed” our business models and to their complete credit the many talented individuals who work in our industry have transformed and developed both their roles and their skills so that we can all continue to develop in a challenging and exciting market. I wish to congratulate all of our winners, and thank our sponsors without whom the ITAA Irish Travel Industry Awards would not be possible”.
Speaking at the awards, Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport said, “I am very much aware of the importance of the travel industry to Ireland. Looking at the numbers, the value of business conducted in ITAA members’ offices amounts to a staggering €1.5 billion every year and the trade employs five and half thousand people throughout our country”.
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 American Airlines, British Airways, Cork Airport, DAA, Hertz, Port of Cork, Travelbiz.ie and Turkish Airlines. Ancillary sponsors are Falcon, O’Leary Insurance Group and The Travel Corporation.
Full List of Winners at the Irish Travel Industry Awards:
ITAA MEMBER AWARDS
ITAA Member Employee Recognition Awards
Best ITAA Corporate Travel Professional: Catherine Monaghan – FCm Travel Solutions
Best ITAA Leisure Travel Professional: Louise Brennan Ormsby – Club Travel
ITAA Member Travel Agency Awards
Most Innovative ITAA Member Marketing Campaign: Tour America
Best ITAA Corporate Travel Agency: Atlas Travel Group
ITAA Travel Agency of the Year under 10 Employees: Navan Travel
ITAA Travel Agency of the Year over 10 Employees: Club Travel
SUPPLIERS AWARDS
Air Travel Category
Best Airline To Europe: Aer Lingus
Best Business Class Airline To Europe: British Airways
Best Airline To North America: Aer Lingus
Best Long Haul Airline: Etihad Airways
Tour Operator Category
Best European Sun Tour Operator: Sunway
Best Escorted Tour Operator: Insight Vacations
Best Specialist Tour Operator: Sunway
Best Ski Tour Operator: Crystal Holidays
Best Long Haul Tour Operator: Sunway
Cruise & Ferry Category
Best General Cruise Company: Royal Caribbean
Best Ultra Luxury Cruise Company: Celebrity Cruises
Best Specialist Cruise Company: Uniworld
Best Ferry Company: Irish Ferries
Agency Services Provider Category
Best Technology Provider: Amadeus
Best Car Hire Company: Hertz
Best Travel Insurance Provider: Blue Insurances
Best Tourist Board: Spanish Tourist Board
Best Supplier Support Team: MSC Cruises
Best Accommodation Only Provider: Lowcostbeds
Best Supplier Representative: Rebecca Kelly
Destinations Category
Best Worldwide City Destination: New York
Best European City Destination: Barcelona
Best Ski Destination: Austria
Best Summer Sun Destination: Spain
Best Winter Sun Destination: Lanzarote
Best Worldwide Theme Park: Universal Orlando
Best Worldwide Hotel Chain: Marriott
ENDS
