Good news for travel agents
WELCOME to this special Travel Weekly Irish Express issue, and a warm hello to members of the travel trade in the Republic of Ireland, who don’t normally get to see Travel Weekly, the UK’s favourite travel newspaper.
From time to time, Travel Weekly publishes a one-off issue when there is plenty to say about a particular company or region, and with the huge increase of product and interest in the Republic and Northern Ireland of late, we thought you deserved a Travel Weekly issue all of your own.
At first glance, the market in the Republic is very different from the UK – different operators, different way of selling. But there are lots of similarities too.
You have four big tour operators, who are run by the UK’s big four, and you’re facing the same challenges as UK agents – commission cuts, consolidation and pressure on profit margins.
There’s some good news, though. Operators and cruiselines are increasing their product offering, the choice of flights into the region keeps increasing, and there are still plenty of suppliers out there that want to work with the trade.
This special issue is full of news and ideas that can help agents increase their bottom line.
We’ve also go two excellent columnists – one from Northern Ireland and one from the Republic – who tell us it’s not all doom and gloom out there and suggest some new areas that agents should be looking at getting into if they want to make more money.
Delve further into this issue and you’ll find some ideas for generating more commission in our features section.
Finally, our Mystery Shopper has been out and about in Northern Ireland. Did he or she visit your shop? Find out inside.
Enjoy the issue.
Lisa James
deputy editor
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