The Irish Travel Industry Awards
27th January 2017 Grenham Travel and Shandon Travel were crowned ITAA Travel Agencies of the Year 2017 at the annual Irish Travel Industry Awards in Dublin last night (Thursday 26th January). The prestigious awards gala took place in the elegant surrounds of the Mansion House and was attended by travel and tourism professionals from around the World to celebrate the hard working and skilful travel professionals operating within Ireland.
Grenham Travel, who are based in Athlone, won the title of ITAA Travel Agency of Year 2017 with under ten employees, whilst Shandon Travel, from Cork, was crowned the ITAA Travel Agency of Year 2017 with over ten employees. Both of the winning agencies were praised for their stand-out customer service, their first-rate expertise and the wide range of travel options available to customers.
Other big winners on the night included Carlson Wagonlit Travel who won Best ITAA Corporate Travel Agency and Tour America who won Most Innovative ITAA Member Marketing Campaign. The award for Best ITAA Corporate Travel Professional went Niamh Gleeson in FCM Travel Solutions and the award for Best ITAA Leisure Travel Professional went to Sandra Mooney in Cassidy Travel. Liam Keller, founder of Keller Travel in Ballinasloe, was this year’s recipient of the ‘Special Contribution to the Irish Travel Industry Award’.
Speaking at the awards, Cormac Meehan, President of the ITAA, said “This is a night of celebration for all the nominees and we are delighted to have a record number of ITAA member nominees this year in 6 categories. I would like to congratulate the very many individuals businesses who have put their names forward. To be nominated is in itself is a wonderful achievement as the standards within the Irish travel trade are truly exceptional.”
Speaking at the awards, Pat Dawson, CEO of the ITAA said, “2016 was a very positive year for the Irish travel trade and this is down to the talented and hardworking individuals in our industry who endeavour to offer quality travel products to Irish holidaymakers. Tonight we celebrate the successes of the year and congratulate the exceptional professionals working in our industry. I wish to extend my congratulations to all of the winners, especially Grenham Travel and Shandon Travel who both deservedly won overall titles.”
The annual event is designed to showcase excellence within the industry and the difficult job of judging the Award Winners fell to a panel of judges, chaired by Tom Lonergan. Supplier Award Winners were voted upon by Irish travel agents. This year’s Master of Ceremonies was none other than the charming presenter and broadcaster, Miriam O’Callaghan
The Irish Travel Industry Awards are an initiative of the Irish Travel Agents Association in association with Amadeus. Award categories are sponsored by Aer Lingus, Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Hertz, Independent News & Media, Portaventura World, Riviera Travel, Shannon Airport, The Travel Corporation and Turkish Airlines.
Full List of Winners at the Irish Travel Industry Awards:
Contribution To The Travel Industry Award - Sponsored By Cork Airport
Liam Keller
ITAA Member People Awards Winners - Sponsored By Portaventura World
Best ITAA Leisure Travel Professional:
Sandra Mooney – Cassidy Travel
Best ITAA Corporate Travel Professional:
Niamh Gleeson – Fcm Travel Solutions
Most Innovative ITAA Member Marketing Campaign:
Tour America
ITAA Member Agency Awards Winners: - Sponsored By Amadeus
Best ITAA Corporate Travel Agency:
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
ITAA Travel Agency Of The Year (Under 10 Employees):
Grenham Travel
ITAA Travel Agency Of The Year (Over 10 Employees):
Shandon Travel
SUPPLIER AWARDS WINNERS
Air Travel Category - Sponsored By Dublin Airport
Best Airline to Europe:
Aer Lingus
Best Airline to North America:
Aer Lingus
Best Business Class Airline to Europe:
Turkish Airlines
Best Long Haul Airline:
Emirates
Tour Operator Category - Sponsored By Hertz
Best European Sun Tour Operator:
Sunway
Best Escorted Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations
Best Specialist Tour Operator:
Sunway
Best Ski Tour Operator:
Crystal Ski
Best Long Haul Tour Operator:
Sunway
Cruise Category - Sponsored By Turkish Airlines
Best General Cruise Company:
Royal Caribbean International
Best Ultra Luxury Cruise Company:
Silversea Cruises
Best Specialist Cruise Company:
Uniworld River Cruises
Best Ferry Company:
Irish Ferries
Agency Services Provider Category - Sponsored By Riviera Travel
Best Technology Provider:
Amadeus
Best Car Hire Company:
Hertz
Best Travel Insurance Provider:
Blue Insurance
Best Tourist Board:
Spanish Tourist Board
Best Supplier Support Team:
Bookabed
Best Accommodation Only Provider:
Bookabed
Best Supplier Representative:
Thomas Mcnally – Bedsonline
Destinations Category - Sponsored By Aer Lingus
Best Worldwide City Destination:
New York
Best European City Destination:
Barcelona
Best Ski Destination:
Austria
Best Summer Sun Destination:
Portugal
Best Winter Sun Destination:
Lanzarote
Best Worldwide Theme Park:
Universal Orlando Resort
Best Worldwide Hotel Chain:
Hilton