FAM-TASTIC: Celtic Tours
will run an agent familiarization trip to Ireland in March. The
trip -- departing March 30 from New York and priced at $539 --
includes guided motorcoach sightseeing, full Irish breakfast and
dinner daily; an educational seminar; a cocktail hour; and select
hotel inspections. Participants spend one night in Clifden, County
Galway; two nights in Killarney; and one night in Limerick.
Highlights include the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Folk Park,
Kylemore Abbey, Blarney Castle and Woolen Mills and the Ring of
Kerry. Agents who book new groups of 25 or more on scheduled
motorcoach tours get the fam trip for free. For more, call Celtic
at (800) 833-4373.
ROYAL
TREATMENT: Agent-only operator
Sceptre Tours, based in Lynbrook, N.Y., is peddling land-only hotel
packages, such as its seven-night Kingdoms and Treasures deal, from
$699 per person, net. Accommodations highlights include a first
night in a bed-and-breakfast near the Cliffs Of Moher; 4- and
5-star hotels in Kerry, Waterford, Dublin and Limerick; and a final
night at a 5-star castle in County Limerick. The trip also is
inclusive of a weeklong car rental and daily full Irish breakfast.
Call Sceptre Tours at (800) 221-0924 or visit www.sceptretours.com.
CENTRAL
SAVINGS: The Temple Bar Hotel in
Dublin's trendy cultural center, the Temple Bar, is offering
reduced rates of 85 euros (about $110) per night -- Sundays through
Thursdays -- for single, double or triple occupancy until March 31.
The 3-star Tower Hotel Group property boasts 130 rooms, a guest
bar/lounge, public bar and two restaurants. Tower Group normally
pays 10% commissions. To check availability and commission rates,
call (011) 353-1 677-3333 or visit www.templebarhotel.com.
SOMETHING IN THE
AIR: The Northern Ireland Tourist
Board reported that Spanish firm Abertis, poised to take over
Belfast International Airport, has big plans for the facility. A
spokesperson from current airport owner TBI confirmed Abertis' bid
was accepted and said Abertis has the "financial muscle" to grow
Belfast, which welcomes its first U.S. nonstops this spring with
new daily Continental Airlines flights from Newark staring May 26.
For more on Belfast International, visit www.bial.co.uk.