ULSTER
AIR: Continental Airlines will launch first-ever non-stop
service between the U.S. and Northern Ireland with new daily
service to start May 26 between the carriers New York/Newark hub
and Belfast. Northern Ireland enterprise minister Barry Gardiner
called the new flights a boost for our tourism industry. Overseas
travelers are visiting the once-troubled British province in
increased numbers of late, with 78,000 U.S. visitors in 2003. Next
winter, the airline said it plans to operate four flights a week,
again reverting to daily service in spring 2006.
ULSTERS
UP: The new nonstops from the Big Apple should cheer
Ulsters tourism sector. According to the Northern Ireland Tourist
Boards latest tourism barometer, the ease of access to cheap
flights is seen as the most important factor in driving new
overseas arrivals, mentioned by 9% of respondents to the poll. The
quarterly survey of 459 Northern Ireland tourism businesses also
found that 93% reported the same or more business from the U.S.
from July to September, compared the same three months in 2003. For
full details, visit www.nitb.com/article.aspx?ID=641.
F-AERWELL: Aer Rianta is no more. The
all-Ireland airport authority -- which used to manage Dublin,
Shannon and Cork airports -- was renamed the Dublin Airport
Authority this month. In accordance with Irelands decentralizing
State Airports Act 2004, local airport authorities also were
established for Shannon and Cork; those organizations might fully
separate from Dublin Airport Authority by next May. All of the
former Aer Riantas telephone numbers and other contact details --
including its www.aerrianta.ie Web site -- at press time were
operating as usual.
FORE DADS
& SONS: Jerry Quinlans Celtic Golf, of Cape May, N.J.,
is adding an extra day, an extra golf course and an extra round on
the greens to next years annual Father and Son Tournament in
southwest Ireland. Set for May 1 to 6, 2005, this deluxe hosted
golf tour will include five nights accommodation -- up from four --
at the 5-star Killarney Park Hotel; full Irish breakfast daily,
plus two dinners; luxury motorcoach transport during the tour; and
rounds at the Old Head, Ballybunion, Tralee, and new addition
Waterville, links. The air-inclusive rate is $1,999 for golfers and
$1,399 for non-golfers, based on double occupancy in a twin room,
with a $450 single supplement. Jerry Quinlans Celtic Golf offers
net rates and/or negotiated agent commissions. Entry forms and more
trip details can be found online at www.jqcelticgolf.com. Or, call (800) 535-6148 or (609)
465-0600.
AUTO-MAGIC: Sceptre Tours is offering free
upgrades on rentals of standard and automatic cars in Ireland
booked by Nov. 30 for travel through Feb. 28. In addition, clients
get 60% off Sceptres Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) rate, enjoying a
reduced rate of $9.99 per day with the savings. Call agent-only
operator Sceptre Tours, which offers retailers net rates on
packages, at (800) 221-0924 or visit www.sceptretours.com.