TRAVEL AGENTS: PEOPLE REALISE OUR VALUE

The Cork International Travel Fair in association with Cork Airport will take place at the Cork International Hotel, 2nd & 3rd February 2019, 11am-5.30pm. The perfect place to book your 2019 holidays and amazing holidays to be won, including a Trip for 2 to Cornwall with Aer Lingus. Promoting the Travel Fair are Kathleen Walsh (left), Communications Dept. Cork Airport, Sandra Murphy (centre) and Carmel Lonergan, Cork International Hotel. Pic: Brian Lougheed

FLIGHTS FOR TWO TO LISBON ADDED TO THE LIST OF PRIZES TO BE WON AT THE CORK INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FAIR

Leading travel agents have said that holidaymakers see the value in what they have to offer – with many often offering cheaper packages than booking online direct.

Speaking ahead of the Cork International Travel Fair, which takes place on the 2nd and 3rd of February at the Cork International Hotel, Paula Coughlan from Dawson Travel and Sean Healy from Lee Travel said the travel agent industry is thriving.

Paula said: “There is great value to be had from travel agents, we have excellent buying power and work with airlines, tour operators and hotels to get the best deals on all travel products. Travel agents are people who love to travel and they really listen to you and what you want from your holiday.”

Sean said: “What is great too about travel agents is that if there are any issues when you get to your holiday destination we can work with you to resolve them. There will always be business for travel agents as we are surrounded by water and you will need some mode of transport to get off our wonderful Emerald Isle.”

Flights for two people to Lisbon have been confirmed today as a prize for those attending the Cork International Travel Fair in association with Cork Airport. The Cork Travel Fair will take place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of February. Over the weekend prizes include trips to Dubrovnik, Cornwall and now Lisbon.

Thousands of people are expected at the event, which is now in its third year. Attendees will learn about new holiday destinations from more than 40 exhibitors. It is estimated that over the last two years €200,000 worth of holidays were booked at the event.

As a special treat people will be in with a chance to win a number of amazing prizes over the weekend. Also on offer are prizes of a trip for two to Dubrovnik and return flights for two people from Cork to Cornwall with Aer Lingus/Stobart. The Travel Fair will be open from 11am to 5.30pm every day and is free to attend.

With Ireland playing England in the Six Nations rugby championship on Saturday afternoon, the Cork International Hotel will be showing the game for anyone who would like to combine their passion for rugby with making their holiday plans.

General Manager at the Cork International Hotel, Carmel Lonergan said: “The Cork International Travel Fair will be bursting with options this year for holidaymakers. We are delighted to work with Cork Airport to show people the many destinations where they can fly to from Cork. There will be a number of agents at the Fair that people can chat to and get a better idea about where they can fly to from Cork and what each destination has to offer. What is also very exciting about the Cork International Travel Fair is the number of prizes to be won by those who attend, there are more and more prizes being confirmed every day. It is certainly the go-to event for anyone planning a holiday.”

Head of Communications at Cork Airport, Kevin Cullinane said: “Every year, the Cork International Travel Fair is a fantastic event, giving holidaymakers the opportunity to learn more and be inspired by the diverse destinations that can be reached from Cork. This year Cork Airport, Ireland’s second busiest and best connected international airport, provides access to over 50 routes across the UK, Continental Europe and the east coast of the USA, with even further connections again being made through major international travel hubs such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.”