Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, Cassidy Travel continues to demonstrate the power of traditional, community-focused marketing. This leading Irish travel agency has earned widespread acclaim for its innovative offline initiatives, winning the Best Offline Marketing Initiative category at the Irish Travel Industry Awards 2026, organised by the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA).
With a network of stores across Dublin and beyond, Cassidy Travel blends high-street presence with creative promotions to drive bookings and build lasting customer loyalty in Ireland’s recovering travel market.
Founded in 1985 by John Cassidy and John Spollen and now headed up by Sharon Harney, Cassidy Travel has grown into one of Ireland’s most recognised travel brands, boasting over 40 years of expertise and a team of more than 140 skilled agents. The company’s core activities revolve around delivering tailor-made holidays, from family summer escapes and winter sun getaways to city breaks, cruises, and specialist sports and events packages. Popular destinations include the Canary Islands, Algarve, Majorca, New York, Rome, and Paris, with strong demand for Mediterranean sun holidays, transatlantic adventures, and multi-centre itineraries. Cassidy Travel also excels in niche offerings, such as football matches, rugby tours, Formula 1 races, concerts, and family-oriented experiences like Disney trips or festive Lapland visits.
A key strength lies in its physical retail footprint. With multiple travel shops in Dublin and surrounding areas, the agency provides in-person consultations that many customers value for complex bookings involving special requests, group travel, or accessibility needs. Agents guide clients through options, secure competitive deals, and handle everything from flights and hotels to excursions, transfers, and add-ons. This personal touch has proven resilient amid the shift to online booking, particularly for Irish travellers seeking reassurance post-pandemic.
What truly distinguishes Cassidy Travel is its award-nominated offline marketing prowess. The agency’s initiatives include eye-catching in-store displays, seasonal brochures distributed widely, and community-oriented promotions that encourage footfall. Creative window dressings and posters serve as a “virtual shop window” for current offers, drawing passers-by into stores for exclusive deals on low-deposit packages or limited-time promotions. These efforts extend to partnerships with local events and sponsorships, reinforcing brand visibility in neighbourhoods where digital ads alone may not reach. By focusing on tangible, experiential marketing, such as brochure campaigns highlighting summer family holidays or winter sun escapes, Cassidy Travel fosters direct engagement, turning casual browsers into loyal bookers.
The impact is evident in the market. Ireland’s outbound travel has surged, with strong growth in package holidays and experiential trips. Cassidy Travel has capitalised on this, reporting robust demand for 2025 and 2026 bookings. Its Cruise Travel Agency of the Year win at recent Irish Travel Trade Awards highlights expertise in that growing segment, while repeated accolades as Ireland’s Favourite Travel Agent in customer polls underscore trust and satisfaction.
Broader recognition includes the ITAA Travel Agency of the Year (Over 10 Employees) title in 2025, affirming overall excellence.
The fortieth anniversary celebrations kicked off with a customer event at Leopardstown racecourse.
2026 awards
Previous winners
