OUT AT JURYS
INN: Jurys Inns, the budget arm of Jurys Doyle Hotel
Group, is offering nightly rates from 89 euros, or about $110, per
room at its three Dublin properties throughout August. Jurys Inn
bedrooms can accommodate two adults and two children sharing, or
three adults. The chains city center properties are located at
Christchurch, Custom House and Parnell Street. For more, see www.jurysinns.com.
BELFAST
BLOWOUT: Making lemonade out of lemons after they lost
their bid to be the 2008 European City of Culture (a title held
this year by Cork), Belfast officials launched Celebrate Belfast, a
15-month program of cultural celebrations to run from this October
through December 2006. The highlight of the $6.2 million program
which will feature some 300 cultural and sporting events,
activities and festivals will be the centenary of Belfast City
Hall. More information can be found at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfast2006.
TRIPPING: Tourism Ireland will run its
annual travel agent familiarization trip to Ireland from Oct. 10 to
14. As many as 100 retail agents will be escorted on the trip,
which will be co-hosted by American Airlines and other trade
partners. Invitees will be selected from among Shamrock Club
members, agents recently visited as part of Tourism Irelands sales
blitz, and nominees proposed by regional colleagues. The group will
visit both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. The trip will
highlight several categories of accommodations as well as various
visitor attractions.
THE IRA
EFFECT: The U.S. and Irish trade hailed the Irish
Republican Armys surprise July 28 announcement that would
disarm with
many predicting positive effects on tourism. Chris Accomando,
president of Sceptre Tours (www.sceptretours.com) said he sees a huge
amount of interest in Northern Ireland and will add two northern
itineraries to his tour roster for 2006. Jim McGuigan, CEO of
Tourism Ireland (www.tourismireland.com) in New York, said the
statement was formal confirmation of the fact that the norths been
at peace for years. And Gerry Lennon, CEO of the Belfast Visitors
and Convention Bureau (www.gotobelfast.com), said the IRA move would help
boost the confidence of visitors and contribute to an increase in
tourist arrivals.