AGENTS
ONLY: Ireland-only tour operator Sceptre Tours struck a
preferred-supplier deal with Vacation.com under which the agency
consortiums 6,000-plus members can apply for Sceptres Emerald
Partner status and earn automatic 12.5% commissions via client
referrals at Sceptres call center and Web site. The Emerald Partner
program provides agencies a real-time booking engine that
integrates seamlessly into existing Web sites. In addition, Sceptre
said it will engage in aggressive promotion of Ireland to both
Vacation.com members and consumers through the consortiums
Engagement marketing program. For more, call (800) 221-0924 or
visit www.sceptretours.com.
QUICK-CHECK: Aer Lingus said it was
extending its new FastPass self-check-in system at Dublins airport
to its transatlantic routes the week of March 14. The carriers
FastPass system has served more than 1 million passengers since its
launch last year. To date, about 55% of Aer Lingus passengers use
FastPass on a daily basis to the U.K. and Europe; Aer Lingus hopes
the figure will rise to 66% by the end of 2005 with the
introduction on transatlantic routes. The airline currently has 34
FastPass terminals in operation at Dublin and is installing an
additional 16 kiosks. To view an interactive, online demo of
FastPass, visit www.aerlingus.com and click on the New self-service
check-in button.
MORE
ROOM(S): In the latest iteration of an ongoing
$6.7-million or so renovation effort, the La Mon Hotel and Country
Club in Castlereagh, Belfast, Northern Ireland, added 20 guestrooms
and suites to its existing inventory of 90 units. Nightly room
rates at La Mon -- which was recently awarded 4-star hotel status
by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board -- range from about $240 for
a standard double to $296 for a suite and $344 for a Premier Plus
double. For more, visit www.lamon.co.uk.
A GLASS
ACT: Brendan Worldwide Vacations is awarding Waterford
crystal to agents who book a guaranteed Ireland departure through
the end of March. Valid tours are the eight-night Ireland at
Leisure, priced from $1,608 per person (land only, based on double
occupancy) with guaranteed departures on May 6, 13 and 27, and June
17 and 24; the 11-night Sights and Sounds of Ireland (from $1,868),
departing April 24 and May 1; The Scots and The Irish (12 nights,
from $1,978), departing May 1; and Best of Ireland North (six
nights, from $1,198) leaving May 15 and June 19. Agents who book
and deposit these departures by March 31 receive a free pair of
Waterford crystal glasses. Call (800) 421-8446 or visit www.brendanvacations.com.
BEANNACHTAI
NA FEILE PADRAIG: Or, Happy St. Patricks Day, to all our
Travel Weekly Ireland E-letter readers.