The Irish Travel Trade Shows 2025 organised by the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) in partnership with Business Exhibitions featured 120 globally recognized travel brands and suppliers participate, offering a diverse range of products and services to Irish trade professionals and opinion leaders.
The Dublin event welcomed 36 new suppliers, while Cork featured 23 new suppliers, providing fresh opportunities for attendees to expand their networks. The Dublin show coincided with the AGM of the Irish Travel Agents Association whee owner managers assembled to elect a new board.
- The travel trade is booming. The past year has seen a return of confidence to the travel trade, with new suppliers like Major Travel making a serious commitment to the Irish market. Competition amongst suppliers has offered renewed options to travel agents as they face challenges from direct booking and entrants into the Irish B2C market by big online players based abroad.
- New names: Much has changed in the travel trade in recent years and new faces are coming to market. Amelia Wolsey was there to say the Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority is interested in expanding in Ireland. Several of the airlines operating to Dublin were represented.
- Iberia rocks. Both Spain and Portugal are reporting inbound figures from Ireland that are 20pc up on pre-pandemic. This was reflected in the number of new hotel groups, DMC and regional representatives at the shows. João Quaresma came by to promote the Centro de Portugal region, which hosts the ITAA conference on October 1-5 at the Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel, 121km north of Lisbon. Pre-registration for the conference opened at the show (email info@itaa.ie) and there was a quick uptake.
- Balkans and Baltics. Tine Murn brought an enthusiastic delegation to the show and the Bakan countries, as well as Greece, reflect the tourism boom they are enjoying with an increased presence. Visit Moldova was a welcome addition.
- Cruise is hot. Cruise numbers from Ireland were up 17pc last year, almost all of them booking through the trade, so it was imperative that that cruise companies created much of the excitement at the show led by the big brands, Royal Caribbean and MSC Rivercruise is also hot with new players offering the trade opportunities and incentives.
- Networking is back: The event emphasizes building and nurturing business relationships. An after-show networking event typically follows the Dublin session, enhancing opportunities for informal discussions.
- Because we are ‘appy: The dedicated app enhances the experience by allowing attendees to schedule meetings with exhibitors, ensuring efficient use of time and maximizing connections.
- The 2025 shows were supported by key industry players such as Dublin Airport and Delta Air Lines. Kate Devereux and Deirdre Sheridan of Delta used the occasion to promote the new Dublin to Detroit direct route. Greg Maher of Park2Travel, the new Dublin airport car park was on hand to brief the trade on business opportunities. Dublin airport provided a high-tech check in for arriving delegates.
The show is designed for travel agents, tour operators, owners, managers, and frontline professionals. It facilitates face-to-face interactions with both existing and new suppliers.
Now in its 9th year, the Irish Travel Trade Show has established itself as a cornerstone event for the Irish travel trade, fostering essential industry connections.
