YOU'RE VERY WELCOME: Far & Wide's Brian Moore
International Tours joined Tourism Ireland's "1,000 Welcomes"
promotional juggernaut with a "1,000 Welcomes Await in Ireland"
special offer, featuring a six-night Ireland stay with rates
starting at $649. The itinerary offers a choice of accommodation in
more than 2,800 bed and breakfasts across the Emerald Isle. Prices
-- per person, based on double occupancy -- include roundtrip air
from Boston, New York (Kennedy) or Baltimore/Washington (add-on
rates for other U.S. gateways available), one night's hotel stay,
five nights' bed-and-breakfast accommodations, and compact rental
car. BMIT pays travel agent commissions of 10% to 15%. To book,
call (800) 982-2299. For more information, visit www.bmit.com/1000welcomes.
IT'S A GROUP THING: Celtic Tours unveiled its
Fall 2003-Spring 2004 Ireland Group Programs, with air-inclusive
departures for clients on Aer Lingus, from October through April,
priced from $499. Celtic also announced an accompanying commission
structure for agents: 20 to 24 passengers nets agents 12% pay on
air and land; 25 to 29 earns 14%, air and land; and 30 to 48
garners 15%, air and land. In addition, travel agents receive one
free place, sharing, for 20 paying passengers and 2 free places,
sharing, for 30 paying passengers. Celtic's programs include the
three-night, escorted motorcoach Short Break Tour from $499 air
inclusive, including first-class hotel accommodation and breakfast
and dinner daily; the four-night Celtic Tradition tour, from $598
air-inclusive; and the five-night Irish Rambler from $839, which
includes a pub dinner with entertainment and a medieval banquet.
For more information, brochures, reservations and groups, contact
Celtic Tours at (800) 833-4373, www.celtictours.com or by e-mail at [email protected].
IRISH GUYS (AND GALS) ARE SMILING: Sceptre
Ireland launched a "List of Smiles" program that rewards customers
with a $50 travel voucher simply for remembering the names of
people who "made their Irish adventure unforgettable." To earn the
voucher, clients should submit a list of the first and last names
and location of a minimum of 10 Irish locals who "put a smile on
their face." In other news, Sceptre offers the Treasures Tour, a
"platinum package" of its entire collection, starting at $1,299 for
departures through November; in addition, travelers who book before
May 5 enjoy an extra $200 in savings. Treasures Tour pricing
reflects a midweek departure from New York, Boston and Baltimore;
add $90 for Chicago and $200 for Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Additional gateways and departure dates are available (rates are
slightly higher over other dates.) The Treasures Tour includes
roundtrip air via Aer Lingus, seven nights' accommodations, most
meals, and sightseeing and admission fees. Sceptre Ireland pays 10%
commission to agents. For more, call (800) 221-0924 or (516)
255-9800 or visit www.sceptreireland.com.
TOP O' THE WEB: Check out Tourism Ireland's
Shamrock Club destination specialist Web site at www.shamrockclub.net/register. Once you've joined, you
can log onto the recently upgraded site for access to online
education and certification modules and other features. For more,
contact Tourism Ireland's John Daly at (212) 418-0835, or visit the
site.