North Africa and Red Sea issues will lead to huge demand for Spain and Portugal this year
Travel experts have advised sun holiday makers intending on holidaying in Ireland’s favourite foreign destinations – Spain and Portugal – to act early or face disappointment this year.
Speaking ahead of the Fly Shannon Holiday Show this weekend in Limerick, Munster’s largest travel agents Limerick Travel have said that the removal of North African and Red Sea packages this year from schedules is driving even greater numbers than normal to the likes of Majorca, Costa del Sol and The Algarve.
“There are a number of things coming together that are going to make the reliable destinations like Spain, The Canary Islands and Portugal even more popular,” said Sheila Brazil, of Limerick Travel.
“You already have the huge popularity of these destinations. On top of that the improving economy here is going to see numbers booking foreign holidays increasing. Then you have the North African and Red Sea markets not available this year, which is going to drive a lot more people towards Spain and Portugal.
“The upshot of all this is that unless people, particularly families book early, they will find options reduced and prices more expensive. We would be urging people, this year of all years, not to put booking sun holidays on the long finger.
That’s very much the message we will be giving out at the Fly Shannon Holiday Show this weekend.”
Final arrangements are being put in place for the two-day free event at UL Arena, which will be the biggest ever holiday show held outside of Dublin. Exclusive holiday offers and discounts and prizes galore – including flights and holidays – as well as advice and tips with regard to all holiday options will be available at the UL Sport Arena.
“We are expecting a bumper year for foreign holidays, not least with the staples like Spain and Portugal continuing to grow, the UK and US markets also really strong and France set to be a major hit with the European Championships, but long haul exotic holidays are also seeing a massive resurgence,” said Edmund Hourican, Managing Director of Business Exhibitions Ltd, which is organising the event.
The Fly Shannon Show, he said, is an opportunity for people who are looking to book a holiday for 2016 to get an idea of the trends and popular destinations for 2016. “We have all the major carriers, travel agents and many, many destination representatives so if people are undecided or haven’t even begun to look at what the options are, then this is the perfect opportunity.”
Isabel Harrison, B2B manager at Shannon Airport and one of the key personnel behind bringing the show back to Munster said “Shannon Airport, as sponsors of the event, will be showcasing the 33 destinations we have this year but there will be experts on hand to talk about pretty much every destination in the world, including the Caribbean, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Canada and the USA.
“Pretty much every question people have about where to go, when to go, what to do, etc. will be answered. People will also be able to book flights and holidays as well and there will be very attractive discounts that will not be available elsewhere and the event is free so we are expecting the show to be well supported over the two days.”
The Fly Shannon Holiday Show is making a welcome return to the UL Arena in Limerick on this weekend Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 February following a nine-year break and it will be the biggest ever holiday event staged outside of Dublin.
The show, includes free entry, free car parking and free kids entertainment and will also include prize draws for holidays and entertainment across the weekend.
For further information please visit www.flyshannonholidayshow.com.
