Irish Life programme scrapped

INTERNATIONAL Life Leisure Group has scrapped its Irish Life programme less than a year after it was launched.

The independent operator – best known for its core French Life brand – said the decision followed poor sales in a “difficult” market. The move comes a week after Thomas Cook Holidays ditched its dedicated Ireland brochure (Travel Weekly October 7).

“I’m disappointed with the results from Irish Life,” said head of retail sales Julia Slater. “The programme wasn’t making money, although we reckon it did just about pay for itself.

“We went into Ireland with the support of the trade and secured good racking. The introduction of the euro pushed prices up, so margins were thin on Dublin hotels, which make up the bulk of the market.”