Get up and go at holiday fair
The Holiday World Show 2005 which opened at the RDS in Dublin yesterday brings the world from Antigua to Zimbabwe to visitors. With more than 800 exhibitors representing over 70 countries, it is the biggest Holiday World Show in the 16 year history of the event.
As well as being tempted by the exotica of far flung destinations, there are also dozens of stands designed to encourage Irish people to holiday at home.
“Market research indicated most people go along to the Holiday World Show looking for ideas and expert advice,” said organiser Edmund Hourican.
One of the biggest stands is run by the Central European Countries Travel Association which aims to attract visitors to many of the new EU members including Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia, as well as regular favourites like Germany and Austria.
President of the Irish Tour Operators Federation Bill Smith said Irish tourists never had a greater variety of package holidays from which to choose as more than one million people are expected to take off on a sun holiday in 2005.
Although Spain and Portugal remain firm favourites with Irish holidaymakers, Mr Smith said there was increasing competition with the emergence of new destinations in eastern Europe, the US and the Caribbean.
The ITOF also said people who recently arranged their own holidays were returning in large numbers to package holidays for hassle-free advantages.
One of the country’s largest tour operators, Falcon\JWT is making its first appearance at the exhibition to showcase the company’s website with special offers of a €40 discount.
The Holiday World Experience runs at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork on February 4-6 with free entry.
