| Image: Getty |
Ireland might be low-cost heaven when it comes to flying,
but there’s no reason why agents shouldn’t make a few
pounds selling accommodation in the Emerald Isle. Hotels of all
shapes and sizes are crying out for business from the UK, and many
pay travel agents well for their business. It’s enough to
turn competitors green with envy if you can grab even a handful of
bookings from the rising number of no-frills UK
holidaymakers.
If you don’t fancy booking direct with a hotel, Ireland tour
operators such as Superbreak and Cresta offer a wide choice and
still pay commission to agents. Superbreak sales director Ian
Mounser said switched-on agents are not letting the
accommodation-only bandwagon rumble past without them.
“Dublin is in our top five overseas destinations and has an
average booking value of £300, which is worth upwards of
£50 for agents,” he said.
Travel Weekly takes a look at what accommodation is available, from
hotels, hotel groups and operators, and what agents can expect to
earn from it.
| Manor House Hotels |
What’s on offer: marketing consortium Manor House
Hotels is a collection of 27 independently owned luxury and
boutique properties across Ireland. The properties range in size
from 11 to 86 rooms, but all have in common ornate architectural
and period features, antiques and paintings. The Athenaeum House
Hotel and Brooklodge Hotel are new members this year.
Commission: 10%.
Sample price with commission: one night at the
29-room, 17th century Athenaeum House Hotel in County Waterford
starts at £45 per person twin-share, including breakfast. This
is worth £9 to agents.
Contact: 00 353 1 295 8900.
| Jurys Doyle Hotels |
What’s on offer: the group has six four and
five-star hotels in Dublin under various brands including Jurys,
Berkeley Court, The Towers and Westin, as well as three three-star
Jurys Inn properties. All are in city-centre locations near
shopping and business districts. The group also has two properties
in Cork and one each in Galway, Limerick and Belfast.
Commission: 10%.
Sample price with commission: one night at the
Burlington hotel in Dublin starts at £149 for two people,
including breakfast. This is worth £14.90 to agents.
Contact: 00 353 1 607 0000.
| Killyhevlin Hotel and Chalets, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland |
What’s on offer: on the shores of Lough Erne, the
Killyhevlin is a four-star, 70-room property with a
state-of-the-art health suite comprising a gym, sauna, steam room
and spa offering Elemis treatments. There are also meeting rooms
and 13 self-catering chalets. Guests can use the hotel
facilities.
Commission: 8%.
Sample price with commission: double room rates
start at £55 per person twin-share. This is worth £8.80
to agents.
Contact: 02866 323481.
| The Merrion Hotel, Dublin |
What’s on offer: one of the Leading Hotels of the
World, the Merrion has 125 rooms and 20 suites, all recently
renovated to reflect the property’s 18th century heritage.
The Tethra Spa has treatments to relax and rejuvenate, while the
restaurant promises tasty Irish cuisine.
Commission: 10%.
Sample price with commission: a superior
garden-wing room starts at around £218 for two people,
excluding breakfast. This is worth £21.80 to agents.
Contact: 00 353 1 603 0600.
| Cresta Holidays |
What’s on offer: the tour operator has a dedicated
programme packed with a full range of two to five-star hotels
across the country, from Dublin to Galway and Waterford to Donegal
and Sligo. All can be booked easily on an accommodation-only basis,
using the extra-night price. There is also a range of self-catering
units.
Commission: from 10%.
Sample price with commission: one night at the
two-star Browns Hotel in Dublin starts at £44 per person,
twin-share, including breakfast. This is worth £8.80 to
agents.
Contact: 0870 161 0990.
| Superbreak |
What’s on offer: the operator’s European
Cities and Beyond brochure offers a choice of properties in Dublin
ranging from two to five star, plus a selection in Cork, Killarney,
Galway and other favourite Ireland holiday spots. All prices shown
are for one night including breakfast, but many also have a
full-board option, making it quick and easy for agents to prepare a
quote.
Commission: from 10%.
Sample price with commission: one night including
breakfast at the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin costs
£98.25 per person twin-share from May to October. This is
worth from £19.65 to agents.
Contact: 01904 689611.
